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KATE'S POISED POSE
Kate Middleton looks ‘ready to flee’ in Archie’s christening photo after ‘Fab Four’ row, body language expert claims
KATE Middleton looks "ready to flee" as she poses in Archie's christening photo, a body language expert has claimed.
While Meghan Markle and Prince Harry beamed with their eight-week-old son, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been slammed by fans for appearing awkward and tense as they sat beside the new parents.
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Body language expert Judi James revealed how the pair looked like they had forced smiles for the photo - in stark contrast to relaxed grandparents Prince Charles, 70, and Camilla, 71, - snapped in the Green Drawing Room in Windsor Castle.
Kate Middleton, 37, can be seen sitting upright in her chair, appearing to be ready to stand up at any moment.
And while Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, sit closely together on the couch, there is a huge distance between the new mum and Kate.
Judi said: "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."
And speaking to Fabulous Digital, Judi explained Kate wasn't the only royal who stood out in the image, revealing Prince William, 37, appeared to be pulling a "a self-protective barrier pose".
"The formal pose shows all the royals looking relaxed and happy apart from a rather over-formal William in a self-protective barrier pose and Kate looking as though she's determined to not upstage the happy couple and their first baby," Judi explained.
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She added: "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."
It does nothing to dispel rumours of a rift between the couples, with the Sussexes recently splitting from the joint charity with the Cambridges.
The speculated feud has even seen the palace deliberately try to avoid “diary clashes” between Harry, Meghan, William and Kate to prevent “competition”, a royal author claimed.
The two brothers reportedly fell out after Prince William's concerns over Meghan Markle reportedly "went down quite badly" with his brother.
And fans were quick to take to social media to comment on the new family photo, and the apparent uneasiness between the brothers.
One royal fan wrote on Twitter: "That’s definitely a forced smile from our Kate."
Another added: "I find it funny that Prince William is trying so hard not to smirk."
And a third said: "It was Archie's christening but I wish that William and Kate hadn't come. What an unhappy awkward couple. Couldn't they even pretend to be happy to be there."
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HOW THE DAY UNFOLDED
Eight-week-old Archie was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Windsor Castle yesterday, in front of a close group of just 25 friends and family.
One black and white photograph shows the little boy cradled in the arms of mum Meghan, 37, as doting dad Harry, 34, puts his arm around the pair.
He is wrapped in the handmade replica of the 1841 Royal Christening Robe.
Royal commentators couldn’t help but notice how similar the baby is to his father Harry — thanks partly to an emerging mop of red hair.
Sharing the two adorable snaps, the palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to share the happiness of this day, and would like to thank everyone around the world for their ongoing support.
"They feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this special moment with family and Archie’s godparents."
The photographs were taken by Chris Allerton in the Green Drawing Room - where Meghan and Harry posed for their official royal wedding snaps - and the Rose Garden at Windsor Castle.
Mr Allerton said: "I am honoured to take the official photographs at the christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and to once again, be part of such a special and joyous occasion for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex."
Members of the St George’s Chapel Choir performed at the ceremony as the seventh-in-line to the throne was baptised in a spectacular £11,000 Lily Font with water from the River Jordan and christened in the same royal gown Kate Middleton's children wore.
The Queen and Prince Philip were absent from the ceremony, having already made plans to spend the week together at Sandringham after Her Majesty's annual Holyrood Week in Scotland.
HAPPY FAMILIES: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose with baby Archie
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also released a beautiful black and white photograph to mark the occasion, featuring baby Archie being cradled by his mum and dad.
According to Judi, the image is just about "as intimate as you can get".
"With Harry presented in dashing, manly mode, there's an expression bordering on loving concern as Meghan holds the blissfully sleeping baby up at him and he grabs her arm as though only just realising the miracle of becoming a first-time dad.
"The bundle of love pose is romantic and as intimate as you can get with a camera lurking but the intensity of their mutual gazing might answer the question about why they chose to hold the christening in private.
"This look says it all in terms of them wanting some space as a loving trio, rather than showing Archie direct to camera in a more accessible way."
But despite footing the £2.4million bill for Harry and Meghan’s Frogmore Cottage renovation, taxpayers may never officially learn who the godparents are.
Usually, the identity of godparents are a matter of public record under Church of England rules, and can be obtained easily for a small fee.
But Archie’s will remain secret after his mum and dad took advantage of a loophole for royals.
Bookies have slashed the odds on Guy Pelly and Jessica Mulroney becoming baby Archie’s godparents.
The Sun understands Harry wants all details kept private.
A source close to the couple said: “People might think Meghan responsible for this whole privacy thing but it is Harry leading the charge. He wants Archie to be a private citizen in every way possible.”
Tweeters face up to tot's traits
FANS on social media debated whether Archie looks more like his mum or dad — or both.
Angie Baer said: “He has traits of both but he reminds me of Harry.”
Amy Heckathorn said: “He’s leaning more towards Meghan, but he’s still in the potato phase. It’s hard to tell.”
Another suggested Archie has a head like Meg and Harry’s eyes.
(Left image: Baby Harry; Right image: Baby Meghan)
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
The couple have given the public just a few glimpses of little Archie since he was born in May.
Meghan and Harry gushed over their "amazing" son as they presented him to the world just days after his birth.
And they released a sweet photograph of the little boy on Father's Day, as well as a stylised pic of Meghan holding his foot for Mother's Day.
Royal christenings over the years - from Prince Charles to Kate Middleton’s kids
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