Prince William “protective” of his family in new royal Christmas card

The Cambridges' 2020 Christmas card suggests his role

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge socially distances as he speaks with service users during a visit to the Garden House of the Light Project in Peterborough
(Image credit: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Prince William and Duchess Catherine’s 2020 Christmas card has been released and it shows how the prince is “protective” of his family. 

The adorable family photograph features proud parents Prince William and Duchess Catherine, arranged around their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. This year’s Christmas card was a brilliantly seasonal affair with the family wearing winter jumpers and posing in front of an stack of logs.

After the never before seen photograph was shared on social media, royal fans have been quick to praise the family. Many have noticed an uncanny resemblance between Prince Louis and his grandfather Michael Middleton, whilst others have compared Princess Charlotte to the Queen.

Now body language expert Judi James has revealed her thoughts on Prince William’s stance in the photograph and it’s more than a little intriguing...

What does Prince William’s body language suggest about his family role?

As reported in the Daily Express, Judi James has analysed the Cambridges’ 2020 Christmas card and revealed to FEMAIL that Prince William is showing his desire to protect his family. His affection for wife Duchess Catherine is also clear.

Ms James reportedly said: “William leans his head in towards his wife here in a small lowering gesture of deference and affection that also suggests strong respect for the strength of his family unit”. 

And that’s not all as the Duke of Cambridge’s smile is thought to be another huge clue as to his role within the family.

“His smile involves a tightening of the muscles of the top lip and a small puckering of the brows at the bridge of the nose, both of which suggest a desire to also look very manly and protective of his family,” Ms James revealed.

What else can be learned from the Cambridges’ Christmas card photograph? 

That’s not all as Ms. James also looked into the body language of Duchess Catherine and the couple’s three young children. The expert suggested that the Duchess “looks very much the leader of the pack”.

She is “sitting upright like the backbone of the family and greeting the camera with direct eye contact that signals high levels of confidence”. 

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with their children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, attend a special pantomime performance at London's Palladium Theatre

(Image credit: Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

And despite being only 5 years old, it seems that her daughter Princess Charlotte is already following in her mother’s footsteps. “Charlotte is challenging her mother’s role as the most confident-looking member of the family group here,” Ms. James disclosed.

Speaking of the Cambridge royals as a whole, she said: “They pose as a very tight, bonded unit”.

This bond has seen the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children rise to become some of the most popular royals. So much so that the royal couple are believed to be amongst the senior royals included in the Queen’s new “firm of eight” that has reportedly been put together.

It is believed that these eight royal family members will conduct royal engagements together. Those thought to be in this group were pictured together on the steps of Windsor Castle recently.

It seems clear that Prince William holds a very important position within the wider Royal Family, as well as within his own loving Cambridge royal family.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!