THE Prince and Princess of Wales do numerous joint appearances but rarely hold hands – and it turns out this is a very deliberate move.
While we’ve often seen Prince Harry and Meghan Markle showing displays of affection, a body language expert has revealed this actually breaks “royal protocol.”
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, Darren Stanton said: “When we see William and Kate, they more than often won’t be holding hands in public settings, and it’s all to do with protocol."
The couple have been enjoying some informal family time in Balmoral this weekend, but when they are doing public engagements, they follow royal tradition.
Darren continued: "Kate and William play a very important role in the Royal family now as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
"As they are next in line to the throne and are preparing to become King and Queen themselves one day, they use and follow the traditional royal protocols of the late Queen.
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“The time when we may see them showing affection would be at a more lowkey event, which could be at a charity event or a film premiere.
“We have seen Harry and Meghan hold hands a lot, which isn’t normal for Royals.”
The body language pro explained that the late Queen “never held hands with her husband Prince Philip”, and for that reason, “it isn’t acceptable” for a member of the Royal Family to be affectionate with their partner.
He adds that Prince Harry and Meghan broke this expectation when they did the poignant walkabout with William and Kate following the Queen’s death.
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While the Prince and Princess of Wales may refrain from public displays of affection, Darren said they show their “strong bond” through other signals.
As they are next in line to the throne and are preparing to become King and Queen themselves one day, they use and follow the traditional royal protocols of the late Queen.
On behalf of Betfair Slots, the body language explained: “William and Kate know what’s expected of them being the Prince and Princess of Wales.
“Kate and William are affectionate in other ways, and it appears way more genuine than hand-holding.
“They show their affection with prolonged eye gazes as well as giving each other little back touches to reassure each other when they’re on an outing together.
“Kate is often seen looking deeply into the eyes of William and that shows the strong trust they have with one another.
“It’s less contrived and forced when we see them being loving with each other.”
There have been some exceptions to William and Kate’s lack of holding hands, such as the 2017 Christmas Day service at Sandringham.
Prince William arrived hand in hand with Kate, next to Prince Harry and Meghan.
They show their affection with prolonged eye gazes as well as giving each other little back touches to reassure each other when they’re on an outing together.
The couple were also spotted holding hands at Princess Eugenie's wedding in October 2018.
And we did catch Kate giving her husband’s bottom a playful pat at the Baftas earlier this year.
Darren added: "It's about William and Kate respecting the situation and judging what is suitable at the time.
"The level of affection they show to one another is based on where they are and what it is they're attending."
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Body language expert Robin Kermode previously told MailOnline: "It is very clear that William and Kate are emotionally close, however, they do not seem to feel the need to prove their love – particularly when on official state business.
"They come across as a strong, independent couple and while they are always on show, they do not feel the need to 'show' their love for each other to the world."
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