A subtle shift in royal dynamics was on display at the Princess of Wales's annual festive event, as body language expert Judi James suggests Prince William is beginning to pave the way for his eldest son.
A New Dynamic for the Future King
The Princess of Wales hosted her fifth annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, continuing a cherished family tradition. For the occasion, she was joined by Prince William and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, all dressed in a coordinated colour scheme.
According to expert Judi James, who analysed the family's appearance for the Mirror, this year marked a significant evolution. She observed that Prince William appears to be "gently stepping back" to allow his heir, Prince George, to assume a more prominent position.
"William seems to be gently stepping back to allow George to take the lead more," James explained. "George has looked slightly shy in the past and William’s technique here seems to be to gradually take the ‘stabilizers off’ by hanging back to allow George to walk ahead with authentic confidence."
Composed Sons and a Beaming Daughter
The analysis highlighted a clear trio forming between William and his two sons. James noted that William and George were in "choreographic lock-step," with the young prince now leading more independently rather than simply mimicking his father. Meanwhile, seven-year-old Prince Louis, known for his playful antics at past events, showed a keen desire to emulate his older brother and father, appearing more composed and making an effort to keep up.
In contrast, Princess Charlotte's demeanour mirrored her mother's joyful and socially engaged approach. "Charlotte’s expression of open delight as she sees her mother walking out to greet them is another illustration of the very close bonds between the pair," James said. She added that Charlotte seemed to share her mother's role, offering "an easy, elegant style of confidence" while the boys maintained more serious expressions.
Preparing for the Future
The observations point to a deliberate and gradual preparation of Prince George for his eventual duties as a senior working royal and future monarch. By subtly repositioning himself, William is allowing his son to grow into his public role with increasing assurance.
Judi James concluded that while George is being groomed for leadership, Charlotte is naturally adopting the warm, engaging style personified by the Princess of Wales. The event at Westminster Abbey not only celebrated the festive season but also offered a glimpse into the carefully managed evolution of the monarchy's next generation.
