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Expert Points At Exact Moment Kate Went Into ‘Self-Preservation Mode’ Amid Feud With Meghan

Kate Middleton was reportedly not keen on joining Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for the Windsor walkabout in tribute to Queen Elizabeth after she passed in 2022. The Princess of Wales was embroiled in a bitter feud with the Sussexes after they began criticizing the Firm in various interviews. Reflecting on the awkward tension during the outing, body language expert Judi James said Middleton made her stance perfectly clear. According to the expert, the Princess "went into self-preservation mode" that day and distanced herself from Markle.

Describing Middleton as being on a "rescue mission for William," James told the Daily Mail, "Kate appeared to use spatial behavior and distancing to make her own point about group dynamics and a lack of desire to turn an homage to a dearly-loved Queen into a soap-style drama." Pointing out that she was walking apart from Harry and Markle, she added, "Her body language suggested a very focused future Queen wanting to pay her respects to a late Queen with the kind of decisive firmness and resolve that Elizabeth II was famous for." Given the rift at the moment, James noted it was 'no surprise' that the Princess of Wales quickly went into 'self-preservation mode.'

At the end of their walkabout, the 'Fab Four' appeared to unite with bright smiles, signaling a seemingly cordial front. However, James claimed the interaction was chaotic, observing that William and Middleton seemed "to hone in on Meghan" briefly. She described the final moments as filled with "utter dithering," revealing their collective body language "illustrated how last-minute the royal quartet had been cobbled together.' James argued, "Royals don't do dither very well as they are normally well-prepped and guided, but here there are several gestures that suggest William, Kate, and even Harry are checking something with Meghan."

Indeed, James’s words have merit, as reports surfaced that Middleton found the walkabout as "one of the hardest things to do." Royal author Rob Jobson wrote in his book, Our King, that the Princess allegedly made this revelation to a senior aide. James explained, "While the Queen was alive, Kate had played ball in terms of performing public acts of 'denial' with Meghan, walking to chat 'happily' with her during their Christmas walk to church to appease the Firm," describing the Queen's death as a 'baptism of fire' for Middleton.

Middleton may have had another reason to act cold toward the Sussexes, considering that her participation with them was not her decision, but that of King Charles. A source who spoke to Omid Scobie for his book, Endgame, claimed that the King pressured William to invite his brother and his wife for the walkabout. Scobie spilled, "With around forty minutes left before he planned to step out on Windsor Castle’s Long Walk with Kate, William sent his first text message in months to Harry, suggesting it would be 'good' if they came along, too."