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Jessie J was one of the performers who met the Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton) when she and Prince William attended the Royal Variety Performance in London.

The prince and princess stepped out for the event on Nov. 19, and one of the most memorable moments from that evening is when British singer and songwriter Jessie J was seen hugging Kate.

Some wondered if Jessie broke protocol when she did that. Kate has been seen over the last few years hugging fans and well-wishers during walkabouts and other casual engagements or outings, but we haven’t seem her hugging people at more official, formal events such as the Royal Variety Performance.

Now, Jessie is speaking about why she hugged the princess even though she was told not to.

Jessie J reveals why she broke protocol and hugged Kate

On Dec. 3, during an appearance on the U.K. show This Morning, Jessie opened up about that talked-about moment and shared exactly why she hugged the princess even though she wasn’t supposed to.

The “Price Tag” singer, who went through her own cancer journey this year and had a mastectomy, felt compelled to embrace Kate, who also battled cancer.

“I was briefed not to, but … I just saw a mom that has also gone through cancer publicly, and I just wanted to give her a hug,” Jessie said. “It was as simple as that. I didn’t see her as the Princess of Wales, I mean obviously I did, and I was respectful … I said to her, ‘Can I give you a hug?’ and she received it.

“I just said [to her], ‘It’s inspiring.’ And I just … I know the days that she has maybe gone through, and I just wanted to give her a hug — mom to mom, human to human.” 

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Body language expert explains what that hug between the two women symbolized

Darren Stanton is a body language and behavioral expert with a degree in psychology. He previously worked as a police officer and used his expertise to uncover the truth when interviewing hundreds of suspects. He later moved into media and TV as a consultant and received the title of the “Human Lie Detector.”

Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Stanton told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “There is a real heartfelt connection; it is not just a showbiz hug. You can see that Kate has her hands tucked right around Jessie J, and it is reciprocated … We have these things called proximal zones, and we keep people in different ones depending on our relationship with them. Even in a hug with someone you aren’t close with, there will be some distance. That was not the case here; they both let each other in.

“The hug is similar to one you would see from close friends or family …. There is a strong empathy between them. They both have their eyes closed. This is a gesture that signals understanding and a sense that they feel safe in each other’s presence.”

Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges that conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.

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