James Explains Why William’s Hand-to-Shoulder Gesture is More About Showing Kate His ‘Undivided Attention’
At a recent high-profile event, Prince William made sure that Kate Middleton knew she had his full attention during their meeting with the Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani. The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted the Qatari royals at their hotel before escorting them to the Horse Guards Parade for the official ceremonial welcome, followed by a trip to Buckingham Palace.
Body language expert Judi James analyzed the couple’s interaction at the event, noting that William’s subtle hand gesture was a deliberate move to prioritize Kate, showing her that she was the “most important person” in his life. James observed that when William placed his hand on Kate’s shoulder, it wasn’t just a sign of concern, but rather a romantic gesture to signal his undivided attention.
Speaking to The Express, James explained, “This hand-to-shoulder gesture is not primarily a signal of concern from William but more one of ensuring Kate and even the world know she has his undivided attention and sole focus, despite the royal state visit and all the dignitaries they are meeting and hosting.”
James went on to describe the gesture as a “priority ritual” that emphasized Kate’s royal status and her importance in William’s life. “It’s a priority ritual and one that will be like a stroke to both her royal status and to her sense of being the most important person in his life,” she added.
The body language expert further pointed out that William’s actions were paired with another intimate gesture—a head-cock—which reinforced his attentiveness to Kate. “As she speaks, he also lets her know that she has his full attention,” James noted.
Royal couples typically don’t display such overt affection in public, particularly during state events, making William’s actions even more significant. “He’s prioritizing his wife here, and in Royal Family terms, this is a rare ritual. Royal couples rarely pay too much attention to each other in public, especially at state events like this,” James said.
“Which makes it an even more impressively romantic signal from the prince.” This subtle yet powerful display of affection underscored Prince William’s devotion to Kate, despite the presence of dignitaries and the formality of the event.