KATE MIDDLETON turns 40 tomorrow and to celebrate her birthday, Kensington Palace has released three new photographic portraits.
The Duchess of Cambridge is set to hold off on any big birthday celebrations this weekend amid the rise in Covid cases and is reported to have a joint celebration with Prince William in the summer.
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It is reported that Kate will “celebrate privately with her family” this weekend and will undoubtedly be joined by Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three.
Here, body language expert Judi James tells Fabulous how the new images show Kate has her own identity and is confident in her role of future Queen as well as displaying similarities with Princess Diana.
Judi said: “There’s a powerful blend of three key messages coming from these landmark portraits of Kate.
“On the one hand, we have a strong historic nod, especially in the monochrome profile shot which looks almost like a Victorian portrait that has somehow been styled by The Lady magazine.”
It shows a very romantic-looking Kate clad in chiffon and bows like a debutante ready for the annual ball and this romanticizing of a woman normally known for her red carpet chic or her boots-and-jeans combos seems to position her emphatically into the history of this country by making her look iconic rather than just contemporary, says Judi.
She added: “With her tumbling waves and the way her rather tentative-looking hand gesture makes a very obvious reveal of her ring finger, this seems to also show Kate in the ongoing role of William’s bride as well as in the role of future Queen.
“Her facial expression looks loving and romantic, and she gazes off into the distance as though examining her destiny.”
The portraits, taken at Kew Gardens in November 2021 by photographer Paolo Roversi, will become part of the permanent Collection of the National Portrait Gallery, of which The Duchess is Patron.
Meanwhile, the monochrome headshot brings Kate’s attention and communication firmly back to her audience according to Judi.
“This is the fun version of Kate, looking straight into the camera with a wide, symmetric sharing smile and with one brow raised in a small tie-sign of shared fun with her audience.
“One shoulder is bare to suggest a more contemporary look and she gazes over the frothy frills of the other shoulder to, again, suggest a sense of fun and a love of parties.”
Ahead of the Gallery’s re-opening in 2023, the photographs will feature as part of its Coming Home project, a nationwide initiative which will see portraits of well-known individuals being sent to locations which they are closely associated with.
The colour photo ditches the high and rather remote romance of the first pose but ramps up the sense of being a contemporary Vogue shoot of a confident and adult woman.
It seems to send signals that are very much like Diana’s iconic photoshoot with Mario Testino, suggests Judi.
Diana was thirty-six when she had this spread of photos done but, like this shot of Kate, they seemed to define the transition from a young woman to a much smarter, sassier and assertive individual who has grown into her own identity rather than just being part of the royal Firm.
Diana’s photos had a much sexier energy than Kate’s but the sense of being launched as a much more knowing adult looks similar, explained Judi.
She continues: “Kate’s smile and eye-gaze look knowing and clever here and the way she has shoved one hand into the pocket of the evening gown suggest a touch of irreverence and humour rather than anything pompous, traditional or regal.
“Overall we seem to be shown on the one hand a woman fully set on her destiny to be Queen and happy and comfortable to make a nod to her place in history as well as showing an ongoing sense of romantic love for her man who will be king.
“But as well as that we are shown a fun-loving and confident woman who is also clearly keen to create a very individual presence rather than just being seen as Queen consort.
“These look like Kate’s ‘growing up’ photos, creating a landmark point in her life as she reaches 40.”
Judi revealed why Kate and Will’s relationship will stand the test of time as body language suggests they’re a ‘playful team‘.
Plus we took a look at what the royal parenting styles say about them, with Meghan Markle being a ‘Lawnmower Mum’ and Kate Middleton being a ‘Lighthouse’.
Check out, Kate’s evolution as a ‘relatable mum’ and her ‘protective affection’ to her kids, just like Princess Diana.
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