Why Kate Middleton Looked 'Ready To Flee' While Sitting Next To Meghan

Kate Middleton and Prince William reportedly appeared awkward and uncomfortable in the new photos released by the palace from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son's christening.

On Saturday, most of the British royal family came together to celebrate the christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's firstborn, Archie Harrison. While the event was kept private, Markle and Prince Harry did share photos from their son's christening, one of which was a snap of the whole family posing in Windsor Castle's Green Drawing Room.

In the photo, the proud parents sat in the middle, with Markle holding Archie, due to Queen Elizabeth's absence. They are joined by Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Markle's mom Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William and Middleton. However, one body language expert, as well as some netizens, noticed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's posture in the image do not exactly scream comfortable.

Body language expert Judi James told Daily Mail that the reason why Middleton looks "ready to flee" in the snap could be awkwardness. She added that the Duchess of Cambridge might also be making sure to "lower her status to not upstage" Prince Harry, Markle and their son.

James dished that Middleton's posture may also suggest that she doesn't want to escalate the rumors of her feud with Markle.

"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 pointed out. "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."

As for Prince Williiam, James noted that he seemed to have adapted a "nightclub bouncer" pose in the photo, making his body language "harder to fathom."

"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," James explained.

The expert added that this isn't the first time Prince Harry has chosen to share a photo of his older brother that makes him look "oddly furtive." James recalled that the wedding photo Prince Harry also previously posted also showed the second-in-line to the British throne in an awkward pose.

Meanwhile, aside from Middleton and Prince William's body language, netizens also took note of the presence of Prince Harry's aunts and Princess Diana's sisters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, during the christening.

Prince Harry has been making sure to keep his mother's memory alive in every step of his relationship with Markle. He even introduced the former actress to his mother's sisters ahead of their engagement in 2017.