Kate Middleton Paid A Touching Tribute To Princess Diana At Archie’s Christening

But a body language expert says she was 'ready to flee'

Kate Middleton Archie Christening

by Phoebe Parke |
Updated on

This weekend saw the royal family attend the christening of the newest royal baby, Master Archie.

While the Queen had a prior engagement and couldn’t attend, Prince Charles and Camilla, Meghan’s mother Doria, Princess Diana’s sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Kate and William were all in attendance.

Meghan Markle opted for a bespoke white Dior dress, Cartier earrings and Dior heels for the occasion according to Meghan's Mirror, and Kate Middleton wore a bright pink Stella McCartney dress, a modified version of a Juliette Botterill pleated pillbox hat and a pair of red suede Gianvito Rossi pumps.

Kate used her choice of jewellery to pay tribute to William and Harry’s mother Princess Diana who died in 1997, by wearing the same earrings Diana wore at Harry’s christening.

The Collingwood pearl earrings are a firm favourite of Kates, she has worn them on several occasions, including in October 2018 at a state banquet.

Despite this touching tribute, the internet has been talking about claims that Kate was ‘ready to flee’ Archie’s christening, according to an expert.

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that Kate’s posture either looked like she did not want to be there, or that she wanted to 'lower her status to not upstage' Harry and Meghan.

‘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,’ James said.

'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.

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

READ MORE: All The Times Kate Middleton Has Paid Tribute To Princess Diana

Gallery

Times Kate Middleton paid homage to Princess Diana

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana1 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

In 2012, Duchess Catherine donned a headscarf and outfit in Kuala Lumpur - which was very similar in style to Princess Diana on a visit to Pakistan in 1996.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana2 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

On 22nd June 1982, Princess Diana donned a polka dot gown to introduce her baby son, William, to the world outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London. And, on 23rd July 2013, Kate Middleton stepped outside the very same hospital with newborn son, Prince George - and a VERY similar gown to her late mother-in-law.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana3 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

These photos show Prince Charles kissing Diana, Princess of Wales during their wedding in London on July 29, 1981. And, next to this, we have the moment Prince William kissed his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana4 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

Both Duchess Catherine and Princess Diana are pretty in pink. Here’s Diana wearing Catherine Walker in Sicily during the Royal Tour of Italy in April 1985, and Kate in Emilia Wickstead at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2012.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana5 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

Both keen skiers, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton both donned red snowsuits when they hit the slopes - although these images were taken years apart.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana6 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

We love this chic peplum shape on both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton. Diana is shown at the Royal Ascot in June 1986, while Kate donned hers for a day out in Singapore during the Diamond Jubilee Tour in September 2012.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana7 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

In the first image, we see doting mum Princess Diana carrying a young Prince Harry off a plane at Aberdeen International Airport in Scotland in 1985. In the second image, we see Kate Middleton - like her mother-in-law before her - proudly carrying her son in her arms, and donned in a similar ensemble, for the final day of the Royal Tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana8 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

Once again, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton look pretty in pink - although, this time, they both donned a hot fuchsia tone. Diana was photographed in her ensemble at Westminster in June 1990, while Kate was snapped visiting the Stephen Lawrence Centre in March 2015.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana9 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

We’re just dotty about this homage; Diana, wearing Victor Edelstein, can be seen awarding a prize to Prince Charles’s polo manager in 1987. And Kate Middleton, complete with baby bump, wore her spots to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour in 2013.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana10 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

We love this chic peplum shape on both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton. Diana is shown at the Royal Ascot in June 1986, while Kate donned hers for a day out in Singapore during the Diamond Jubilee Tour in September 2012.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana11 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

When Princess Diana stepped out for her first public event with Prince Charles in 1981, she wore a gorgeous strapless black ball gown. And, in 2011, Kate Middleton chose a very similar gown for The Sun Military Awards.

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana12 of 14

Kate Middleton & Princess Diana

On Remembrance Sunday 2011, Kate Middleton dressed in a black double-breasted Diane Von Furstenberg coat. And she looked the mirror image of the mother-in-law she never met, who wore a very similar outfit when she attended the same ceremony 27 years ago in 1984.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana13 of 14

Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

In May 2015, it was revealed that Prince William and Duchess Catherine had decided to name their newborn daughter after his late mother, Princess Diana. A statement read: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana." The baby will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge." Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Charles Spencer, over the tribute, insisting that the names were “perfect”.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana14 of 14

Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

Kate Middleton is famed for her relaxed approach to fashion, so people definitely took notice when she honoured Princess Diana by wearing her favourite tiara to the Queen’s Annual Diplomatic Reception in 2015. The Lovers’ Knot tiara was often favoured by Princess Diana, after it was passed down to her by the Queen in 1981 as a wedding gift. What a poignant style choice!

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