THE highly-anticipated Christmas card of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been leaked, and it subtly hints Princess Charlotte is the “most confident” member of the family.
According to body language expert Judi James, the adorable outdoor family shot demonstrates that Charlotte, five, is not camera-shy and Kate Middleton is the “leader of the pack”.
In the sweet scene, Prince Louis, two, laughs in joy, while Prince George, seven, perches near dad William, 38, and Princess Charlotte sits on 38-year-old Kate’s knee.
Judi explained to Fabulous: “They pose as a very tight, bonded unit.
“Kate looks very much the leader of the pack, sitting upright like the backbone of the family and greeting the camera with direct eye contact that signals high levels of confidence.
“Charlotte is challenging her mother’s role as the most confident-looking member of the family group here.
“Her smile is asymmetric, curling up the right side of her face to suggest curiosity and intelligence, but it’s her level eye-gaze that is the show-stopper.
“This look of mild challenge is so similar to the expression her great-grandmother the Queen has always worn, suggesting a tendency for strong focus and active listening, but also an ability to question everything, too.”
Judi said that the card challenges the notion that royal families have to be stuffy and traditional – and says William shows his affection for wife Kate in the shot.
She said: “There is no nod towards formal and traditional royal values here.
“William leans his head in towards his wife here in a small lowering gesture of deference and affection that also suggests strong respect for the strength of his family unit.
“His smile involves a tightening of the muscles of the top lip and a small puckering of the brows at the bridge of the nose, both of which suggest a desire to also look very manly and protective of his family.”
While Charlotte may be very confident, Judi added that George’s off-camera eyes show a “tendency to shyness”, and in contrast “Louis’s body language is a total joy.”
She added of Kate and William’s youngest son: “He is currently the scene-stealer of any gathering of the Cambridge’s.
“He is always engaged and laughing in delight and it seems to be his noisy-looking responses that add the touch of happy pride to William and Kate’s facial expressions.”
This Christmas card hasn’t been officially released by the palace, and nor has it been confirmed when or where it was taken, although the family spent most of lockdown at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
The photo has been taken outside with a pile of wood behind them, with the family looking warm in cosy winter clothes.
The card reads “To all the amazing NHS staff,” with the message: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”
For last year’s Christmas card, Kate cuddled up to William as Louis, Charlotte and George played on a vintage motorbike.
And the year before, the sweet family-of-five beamed in autumnal bliss outside their Norfolk home.
Royal fans were also treated to Kate and William and the three kids stepping out at the pantomime on Friday.
The family-of-five walked arm in arm together on the red carpet at the London Palladium to thank key workers.
They were treated to a performance of Pantoland starring Elaine Page and Julian Clary alongside Covid-19 hero bin men, NHS staff, delivery drivers and charity volunteers.
It is believed to be the first time the family has been to panto and in the royal box together.
Prince William gave a speech hailing sacrifices made by key workers during the pandemic saying the nation owes a “debt of gratitude”.
He also paid tribute to Dame Barbara Windsor describing the late actress as a “giant of the entertainment world” and a “legend on pantomime stages across the country”.
The royal added: “I know we’ll all miss her hugely.”
We shared how Kate Middleton previously joked about needing advice to handle George, Charlotte and Louis’s temper tantrums.
And the Queen showed off a previously unseen photo of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Louis during Zoom call.
