How Kate Middleton helped Prince William kick habits of ‘anxiety’ and embrace future as King
The Duchess of Cambridge inspired Prince William to kick certain 'self-reassurance' gestures, according to a body language expert
![How Kate helped William kick habits of ‘anxiety’ and embrace future as King](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6WCiKG3WH95gFZbCsopjLo-415-80.jpeg)
Kate Middleton played an important role in preparing Prince William to be King by helping him overcome certain 'self-assurance behaviors', a body language expert has claimed.
- Kate Middleton was a crucial force in helping Prince William overcome habits of 'anxiety', a body language expert has claimed.
- The Duke of Cambridge may seem like a natural at his job now, but he reportedly hasn't always been so secure in his ability to lead the Royal Family.
- In other royal news, Prince William to delay 40th birthday party for special reason.
Kate Middleton has helped Prince William to prepare for kingship by inspiring him to overcome habits of 'anxiety', a body language expert has revealed.
As second in line to the throne, the Duke of Cambridge has known since he was a child that he would succeed the eldest of the Queen's children, Prince Charles, as British monarch one day.
However, despite growing up with this awareness, it's only in recent years that he has begun to fully embrace the reality of his regal destiny. The 40-year-old has previously suffered from a lack of confidence at public engagements, with photos of a younger William showing him "displaying self-reassurance behaviors" that suggest he was experiencing "anxiety", a body language expert has claimed.
"We self-reassure ourselves by touching the face, folding both arms, or even picking at sleeves on a jacket as a way of deflecting our attention away from the person or situation in front of us that is causing concern or anxiety - doing so gives us psychological breathing space to retreat for a moment," explains English psychologist Darren Stanton.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, the TV hypnotist goes on to describe certain behaviors that William adopted in public to relieve his discomfort in public settings.
One "reassuring gesture when feeling anxious or uneasy" favored by the Duke was the act of "placing the flat of your hand inside your jacket", a self-soothing reflex that Prince Harry has also practiced in the past.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
"Another tell-tale sign of William’s to show he is uncomfortable is the Royal playing with the button on his jackets or touching his cufflinks," Stanton adds.
The future King has relied less on these coping mechanisms in recent years, however, as he becomes increasingly confident in his high-ranking role. According to Stanton, William can credit much of this growth to the positive influence of his wife, Kate Middleton.
“Kate has had a lot to do with building William’s confidence, especially during Royal engagements and meeting other civil dignitaries," he explains.
“Kate, herself, is quietly confident and she is happy to attend events on her own without William as much as she is alongside him. She’s built her relationships with other members of the senior Royal family and her willingness when it comes to her Royal duties appears to have had a big influence on the way that William now thinks."
The arrival of the couple's adorable three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have also been instrumental in helping William kick his old anxious habits.
"Of course, becoming a father has given William a great deal of inner peace and tranquility and boosted his confidence in himself," says Stanton.
The Queen began training Prince William to be King from the age of 13, inviting him over to her Berkshire residence for afternoon tea every Sunday while he was boarding at the nearby Ludgrove School.
"When William became a teenager, she would have him at Windsor Castle and would open the state boxes and guide him through the papers," Robert Lacey, historian and royal consultant to The Crown, explained.
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
5 award-winning products and brands given special recognition by our panel of beauty experts
These beauty brands and products have gone above and beyond, winning our special seal of approval
By Rhiannon Derbyshire Published
-
Dirty Pop: Who is Lou Pearlman and what happened to him?
Music-mogul turned fraudster, Lou Pearlman, is the focus of Netflix's new Dirty Pop
By Katherine Sidnell Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s ‘unusual’ decision for George, Charlotte and Louis as they ‘can’t undo destiny’
The Prince and Princess of Wales's parenting approach is reportedly quite 'unusual' and they're following in the Middletons' footsteps
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton shares new Prince George photo on his 11th birthday - and he looks so grown up
The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a new photograph of Prince George to mark his 11th birthday
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Kate Middleton’s ‘quick’ fashion formula for an elegant outfit works with a ‘busy lifestyle’ and we’re taking notes
The Princess of Wales has found a signature style approach that works for her and we love how easy it is to recreate ourselves
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s tradition with Princess Charlotte is so adorable and it shows how much their shared passion means to them
The Princess of Wales revealed that she and Princess Charlotte had taken up a sweet activity together during the Wimbledon championships
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s luxurious Lip Perfector is currently the cheapest it’s been for a very long time and we’re buying several shades
The Princess of Wales was pictured using her Clarins Lip Perfector at Wimbledon in 2019 and we've found it with 20% off right now
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s pearl drop earrings are the most elegant finishing touch to an outfit and this £9 alternative is in our shopping basket
The Princess of Wales is a fan of pearl drop earrings and we've found an affordable option that can help elevate outfits to new heights
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's favourite Superga trainers are half price now - making them less than £30
The Princess of Wales's white Superga Cotu Classic trainers are under £30 and they're some of the most versatile shoes you can buy
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Will Kate Middleton be at Wimbledon this year?
The Princess of Wales presents the trophies to the Wimbledon winners and some fans might be curious about if she'll do the same in 2024
By Emma Shacklock Published