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Kate Middleton Has ‘Let Her Guard’ Down Amid All the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Drama


  • January 23, 2020

The royals have been doing their best to display a united front following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s stunning exit as senior members of the royal family. Kate Middleton is also doing her part to get the monarchy back on track. But during a recent event with Prince William and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Kate reportedly let her guard down, offering a look at how she is really dealing with the drama.

Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton | Samir Hussein/WireImage

Kate Middleton and Prince William host royal event

This week, Kate joined her husband and Sophie for a reception inside Buckingham Palace. Sophie’s husband, Prince Edward, was also on hand to help greet visitors.

The event is Kate and William’s first solo engagement at Buckingham Palace since tying the knot in 2011. Queen Elizabeth was not on hand and is currently enjoying a break at her Sandringham estate.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark today’s UK-Africa Investment Summit. At the reception The Duke spoke of his love of Africa, saying: • “The African continent holds a very special place in my heart. • It is the place my father took my brother and me shortly after our mother died. • And when deciding where best to propose to Catherine, I could think of no more fitting place than Kenya to get down on one knee.” • Today’s Summit brought together Heads of State and Government and senior representatives from African countries, key multilateral agencies and high-profile UK and African businesses to demonstrate the strength of the relationship between the UK and Africa. Earlier in the day The Duke held audiences with President @nakufoaddo of Ghana and President @PaulKagame of Rwanda at Buckingham Palace. The Duke and Duchess were joined at this evening's reception by The Princess Royal and The Earl and Countess of Wessex. The Countess was also celebrating her birthday today — Happy Birthday! Take a look at our Story to see more from behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace. Photos by Kensington Palace. #InvestinAfrica

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The reception was held on behalf of the UK-Africa Investment Summit, a group Kate Middleton and Prince William have worked with in the past.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge put on a good show in front of the cameras and maintained a regal look throughout most of the event. But while mingling with Sophie, body language experts believe that Kate let her guard down and showed how she is really dealing with Megxit.

Inside the Duchess of Cambridge’s body language

According to Express, Alison Ward, an expert on reading body energy, has examined photos from the recent event and believes Kate showed signs of stress.

“The strain of recent events is evident to see in some of last night’s pictures from the state reception,” Ward shared. “Kate warmly greets officials and is clearly still very much in love with William but when she meets Sophie, Duchess of Wessex that’s when the strain shows.”

Ward added that Kate Middleton’s body language was particularly noticeable during her chats with Sophie. Not only were Kate’s eyes giving off a more serious tone, but she was also crossing her arms in a defensive manner.

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Today The Duchess of Cambridge launches #5BigQuestions on the Under 5s, a landmark survey which gives people across the UK an opportunity to provide their view on raising the next generation. The survey is designed to bring together the thoughts of as many people across the UK as possible – recognising that everyone has a role in ensuring strong, healthy foundations for the youngest in our society that will positively affect their lifelong outcomes. 5 Big Questions on the Under 5s aims to spark the biggest ever conversation on early childhood that will ultimately help bring about positive, lasting change for generations to come. Earlier today The Duchess kickstarted the launch of the survey during a visit to MiniBrum at @thinktankmuseum, where she was shown around the interactive, child-sized mini-city by children who helped design the space and spoke to parents and carers about the survey. On the 5 Big Questions on the Under 5s Survey, The Duchess said: • “Parents, carers and families are at the heart of caring for children in the formative years, so that is why I want to listen to them. • As a parent I know how much we cherish the future health and happiness of our children. • I want to hear the key issues affecting our families and communities so I can focus my work on where it is needed most. • My ambition is to provide a lasting change for generations to come.” • Take 5 minutes to visit 5bigquestions.org.uk (link in bio) to find out more and fill out the survey.

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The expert also believes that Kate did a good job putting on a welcoming face for her guests. But she clearly had other things on her mind.

It is also interesting that Edward and Sophie were on hand to help William and Kate during the reception. Now that Harry and Meghan are out of the royal spotlight, it is clear that other members of the family are stepping up to pick up the slack.

Kate Middleton and Prince William feel more pressure

Speaking of picking up the slack, William and Kate will undoubtedly have more on their plates now that Harry and Meghan have stepped down. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have always shouldered more responsibility than most members of their family, but they are now feeling even more pressure.

“The spotlight has always been on William and Kate as it is a royal goldfish bowl,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams stated. “However, since Harry started dating Meghan they have been the major media draw as the dynamic duo who were expected to modernize the monarchy.”

Fitzwilliams added that the future of the monarchy now rests with Prince William and Kate Middleton, along with their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

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In Cardiff The Duchess of Cambridge joined a baby sensory class at the Ely and Caerau Children’s Centre to hear about the support that parents and staff receive, and to talk about the #5BigQuestions on the Under 5s Survey. The launch of the survey follows eight years of work by The Duchess, in which she has explored how experiences in early childhood often lie at the root of the hardest social challenges the country faces today. What we experience in the earliest years – from in the womb to the age of five – is instrumental in shaping our future lives. It takes just 5 minutes to have your say in the biggest ever conversation on early childhood – click the link in our bio to answer the #5BigQuestions on the Under 5s.

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Harry and Meghan announced their shocking departure on social media a few weeks ago. The couple stated that they plan on becoming financially independent and are splitting their time between the U.K. and Canada.

As a result of their decision, Harry and Meghan gave up their royal titles, though he will still be sixth in line to the throne. The pair will also retain their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, though they do plan on paying back the crown for renovating Frogmore Cottage.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gain followers on Instagram

Kate Middleton has not commented on the recent reception at Buckingham Palace. Although Harry and Meghan are no longer in the royal spotlight, they are still among the most popular members of the royal family.

In fact, experts believe that Harry and Meghan will soon surpass Prince William and Kate Middleton in Instagram followers. The couples are currently tied with around 11 million followers each.

Harry and Meghan launched their own account in April of last year, while William and Kate have been active on their page for years. If they keep up their current pace, it will probably be only a matter of weeks before Harry and Meghan have more followers.

In the meantime, the Sussexes are looking to break free from public funding. The two are currently enjoying time on Vancouver Island and are reportedly looking to purchase a home in the area.

Kate Middleton has not publicly commented on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit from the royal family.