Princess Catherine stepped out at the Order of the Garter yesterday alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh, sparking speculation about her relationship with a late royal relative. Body language expert Judi James analyzed the interaction, suggesting it offers a poignant glimpse into what Catherine's bond with her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, could have been.
A Glimpse of What Might Have Been
Prince William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, passed away in August 1997 at the age of 36, four years before William met his future wife. William has often expressed deep sadness that Diana never got to meet Catherine or their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The prince, who turns 44 this week, once said he would have "loved her to have met Catherine."
Speaking about the interaction between Catherine and Sophie, Ms James told the Daily Express: "Catherine and Sophie traditionally seek each other out at this event, and they traditionally tend to get a little giggly together, too. After some of the tensions of Trooping the Colour, they always look relieved to relax and enjoy this event together, displaying high levels of fondness and fun as they do so."
Their husbands' Garter outfits often prompt smiles. Unlike the dashing uniforms and bearskins worn at Trooping the Colour, the large floppy hats with feathers at the Garter ceremony are less flattering and often trigger grins. Ms James added: "But the two women's signals of avid chatting, laughing, and fun together define the strength of their relationship while providing a touching, poignant hint of how Kate and Diana might have been together, had Diana lived."
Royal Tradition and Fan Reactions
The Order of the Garter is one of the most recognizable royal traditions, taking place just days after Trooping the Colour. The annual parade is held in Windsor and was founded by King Edward III in 1348. As their husbands came into view, Catherine and Sophie grinned from ear to ear, prompting fans to react on social media. One fan commented: "I always love exactly that moment with both of them and their husbands - there's such a flirty and lovely sparkle in their eyes... between both of the couples." Another wrote: "They are such school girls still."
