The Princess of Wales was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron with an unusual air kiss for the hand – and a body language expert has revealed what Kate’s reaction tells us
The Princess of Wales was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron with an unusual air kiss for the hand – and an expert has revealed Kate’s reaction to it.
Both Kate and William were at RAF Northolt this morning to greet Macron and his wife Brigitte as they arrived in the UK for a state visit. As the couple emerged from their jet, the French leader offered his hand to his wife as she descended the stairs, but she declined his assistance. The president then warmly shook William’s hand and held onto his arm as they chatted. Mr Macron then took the princess’s hand and delivered a gallant air kiss towards it.
Macron’s snub from his wife comes weeks after Brigitte appeared to slap him in the face during a heated argument on an official tour in Vietnam.
And despite Mrs Macron appearing to refuse her husband’s hand, body language expert Judi James says the French leader’s charm offensive could not be thwarted.
She told the Mirror : “Anyone expecting a repeat of the infamous ‘Shove de visage’ gesture from Brigitte to her husband as they stood at the entrance to their plane here would have been thwarted as this time Macron bounced out alone and Brigitte appeared a few seconds later to descend by herself.
“Would there be a display of performed coupledom from the pair then, who did seem to want to erase the push from our consciousness via some tender-looking arm-holding and affectionate glances during their actual visit to Vietnam?
“The suggestion here was a big fat ‘Non’. Despite holding his hand out to his wife like a showman presenting the lead star on stage, Brigitte appeared to ignore the offer, even turning quickly to greet her hosts rather than taking his hand in an affectionate clasp once both her feet were on the tarmac.
“But Macron’s charm offensive would not be thwarted. After a micro truncated ritual that hinted he might just have been going for a cheek-kiss to William, he settled for a handshake that he peppered with add-on hand grasps and clasps to suggest familiarity and friendship.”
And when it came to Kate, Judi revealed how the princess appeared to take his kissing gesture.
She added: “When his display of gallantry became distilled into a quaintly antique air hand-kiss that he seemed to have fashioned out of her offered shake. This is a difficult ritual for the modern woman to respond to as it tends to prompt an embarrassed giggling in these more feminist times.
“But Kate smiled gracefully, perhaps aware that it would be Brigitte’s turn next as Charles opted to lift the back of her hand right up to his lips to maintain eye contact as he planted his own lips.”
Kate was carrying out the royal duties today after opening up about her ‘rollercoaster’ cancer recovery, its life-changing impact and putting on a “brave face” last week.
She channelled diplomatic royal dressing choosing to wear French fashion house Christian Dior for the celebratory occasion. Her earrings belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales and the pearl necklace was from the late Queen’s collection.
The Christian Dior jacket is the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket and a piece from the 2024 collection. It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original first created in 1947 by Dior himself. Kate’s hat was by Jess Collett.