‘Nervous’ Kate Compared to an Unlikely Royal as She 'Earned Her Place' in the Royal Family
From her debut as Prince William's squeeze in her early 20s to her position today, Kate Middleton’s transformation has been subtle yet unequivocal.
For somebody who does not come from a royal or aristocratic family, confidence is not something that is conferred overnight but rather something that is accumulated, tested, and ultimately worn effortlessly. The same was the case with the Princess of Wales, the only difference being that this process has played out in front of the world. From her debut as Prince William's squeeze in her early 20s to her position today, Kate Middleton’s transformation has been subtle yet unequivocal as she celebrated her 44th birthday last week.
There was a time when Middleton’s public appearances carried a note of caution — a sense that she was still finding her footing within an institution where nothing is ever truly informal. But, now, more than a decade on, that hesitation has largely disappeared. That shift, observers say, did not happen overnight. In the early years of her relationship with William, Middleton appeared acutely aware of being watched, assessed, and interpreted. “Kate hasn’t always been super confident,” body language expert Darren Stanton said. During high-profile moments such as the couple’s engagement interview, he noted that she “would often look nervous” and was visibly “conscious of how she came across on camera,” reported Marie Claire.
Those early appearances often revealed a sense of reliance. “We saw Kate and William looking at each other quite a lot, which was to reassure each other and give each other support,” Stanton explained. Over time, however, Middleton’s approach has evolved. As Princess of Wales, she has developed a steadier rhythm, stepping into engagements with confidence that no longer requires visible backup. “In recent years, Kate has found ways to make herself feel more confident and the ability to take control alone,” Stanton said. Crucially, he added, “She believes she has earned her place.”
It is this confidence that has prompted comparisons with Princess Anne, long seen as the royal family’s model of duty and no-nonsense hard work. At first glance, Anne and Middleton could not appear more different in style or personality. But, Stanton argues, it is in their presence, rather than their temperament, that the similarities are most evident. “It’s a pretty similar way that Princess Anne conducts herself in public, by the way,” he said. “Both of these ladies, wherever they go, always make sure to keep eye contact and present strong postures.” This is not something they do by happenstance; rather, it is a sign that has been made to signal strong systems in place. “The way they present themselves in their nonverbal communications is a sign that they feel empowered and dominant,” Stanton added, putting the two women on the same pedestal.
Even Middleton’s wardrobe, Stanton suggested, plays a role in reinforcing that confidence. “She wears the color red to feel powerful and strong,” he noted. “It makes her feel good about herself, allowing her to take on anything she is faced with.”
