Royal rift: Kate was 'ready to flee' from Meghan at Archie's christening, expert claims

A photograph released by the palace showed new parents Meghan Markle and Prince Harry holding baby Archie surrounded by The Royal Family including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. While the image looks happy and celebratory, body language expert Judi James told MailOnline that Kate looked “ready to flee” in the image. Ms James also described Prince William as looking like he was in “nightclub bouncer mode”.

Ms James also described how Kate and William’s poses were in stark difference to Prince Charles and Camilla.

Ms James said Kate’s “ready to flee” pose could show awkwardness or a desire to not “upstage” Harry and Meghan.

She told MailOnline: “With a very relaxed and jolly-looking Camilla down one end of this pose, Kate sits at the other looking oddly self-diminished and prim, with her arms pulled into her torso and a part-smile on her face.

“Given all the rift rumours the rather ‘ready to flee’ tension in her pose could be seen as awkwardness but it could also show a desire to lower her own status signals and not upstage the happy couple.”

READ MORE: Meghan, Harry and Baby Archie’s christening – What we know so far

Ms James compared William to a “nightclub bouncer” because of his “fig-leaf hand gesture, head tilt and rather evaluating facial expression.”

She said: “William’s pose behind her looks harder to fathom out as it seems to show the prince in nightclub bouncer mode.

“The fig-leaf hand gesture, head tilt and rather evaluating facial expression and knowing smile all bear the hallmarks of a man who won’t let you into the venue until you produce some ID.

“Harry’s chosen shot of his brother at his wedding did seem to make William look oddly furtive behind him so perhaps there’s a theme emerging here.

“The contrast with the proudly-beaming Charles and Doria is acute but again, it could reflect a moment of quiet, contemplative sibling pleasure for William, although it might be interesting to see if he was grinning happily in any of the shots Harry rejected.”

Social media users have been debating the couples’ expressions on Twitter.

One said: “William doesn’t look happy at all!! And Kate has a forced smile on her face.”

Another added: “Kate doesn’t have a real smile on her face. She looks pained.

“William looks like he smelled something terrible. They don’t look thrilled to be there.”