Lip Reader Reveals What the Royals Said to Each Other About Kate’s Awkward ‘Kiss Deterrent’ at Commonwealth Day
Several members of the royal family gathered for the Commonwealth Day Service in London. King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as Prince William and the Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton), and Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, were in attendance on March 9 for the annual service.
Video clips from inside the Abbey showed the family greeting each other and exchanging pleasantries before the event got underway. But there were a few moments that were awkward for the Princess of Wales when she tried to lean in and say hello to people.
Now, a professional lip reader has decoded what other royals said about that.
Why Commonwealth Day is such an important for the royals
The annual Commonwealth Day in the U.K. is celebrated on the second Monday in March and honors the 56 nations that make up the Commonwealth and its more than 2 billion citizens. It emphasizes unity and shared values, and features a royal service at Westminster Abbey.
Grant Harrold was King Charles’ butler for seven years. During his time working for the now-monarch and Queen Camilla, Harrold’s duties included those of valet, housekeeper, house manager, and driver. He also looked after Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate whenever they stayed at Highgrove House. He shared why Commonwealth Day is one of the most important dates on the royal family’s calendar.
Speaking on behalf of Casino Hawks, Harrold told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “When they arrive, we see Princess Anne, Sir Timothy, Prince William, and Kate chatting …They all get on really well and close behind closed doors. They don’t get to see each other that often, which is why Commonwealth Day is such a nice day for them all. They don’t have to bow or curtsy because they are all the same rank — they are all equal. So they just kiss and hug instead. It’s lovely seeing them share this family moment, even in such a public setting.”
Lip-reading expert says others were chatting about Kate’s ‘kiss deterent’
Nicola Hickling is a lip-reading expert who has spearheaded the development of innovative technologies and services that empower individuals with hearing impairments. She has also appeared in the likes of the Daily Mail, Page Six, and Newsweek.
Hicking noted that Princess Kate had a bit of a tough time trying to greet everyone as moving in for a hug and kiss on the cheek was nearly impossible because of her hat. According to Hicking, Prince William and Princess Anne both noticed that and commented on it when Kate attempted to lean and greet Timothy Laurence.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, the lip-reading pro told Showbiz Cheat Sheet that William said, “Oh the hats get in the way.” His Aunt Anne jokingly responded, “A big hat is a kiss deterrent!”
When the Princess of Wales made her way over to the Princess Royal, Anne leaned back and exclaimed, “I’m not going to even try.” Kate then replied, “I know, I’ll just say hello.”
