As First Lady, Melania Trump and the Princess of Wales, made history together with their very first joint solo outing, a body language expert reveals which of the women is actually leading the conversation
16:51, 18 Sep 2025Updated 19:09, 18 Sep 2025
Kate and Melania step out together for children’s event in Windsor
US President Donald Trump may be the star of the ongoing state visit, but all eyes have today been on the interactions between arguably the most glamorous members of the high-profile party: First Lady Melania Trump and the Princess of Wales.
The two women today made history together as they set out on what marked their very first solo outing together without their respective husbands, taking part in nature activities with 20 Squirrel Scouts today on the Windsor Castle estate.
This was naturally a much more down-to-earth environment than the formidable setting of Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Hall, where Kate, 43, and Melania, 55, dined together in full finery last night. And as they walked along together, the pair took a moment to converse, and it was during this one-on-one chat that their interesting dynamic became clear.
READ MORE: Princess Kate discloses her son’s ‘quirky’ hobby during Trump visit in Windsor
The two women appeared to have plenty to talk about, but who was leading the discussion?(Image: Getty Images)
And while it may initially appear as though future queen Kate is steering the discussion, body language expert Bruce Durham believes this isn’t the case, with one telling gesture revealing the princess’s apparent “reverence” towards Melania.
Speaking with the Mirror, Bruce from Huddle Culture revealed: “If you look at Kate’s body language, so what she’s doing with what we call her ventral area, where the heart and lungs are, if you notice when she’s walking along, if you compare Melania’s arm position.
“Melania’s arm position is very much down; she’s showing what we call the ventral area. She’s very relaxed; there’s no need for her to cross her arms.
As argued by Durham, Kate could be seen ‘deferring power’ to Melania(Image: PA)
“And what’s really interesting is, when Kate finishes her explanation, and Melania takes over the conversation, you’ll see that she keeps her arms in almost that crossed position.
“Now, this usually indicates some type of negative emotion, negative association. A little bit like when you go in a huff, you’ll cross your arms, or you’ll protect yourself, or you’ll throw your teddy out of the cot. You’re sort of making yourself smaller, and you’re guarding your vital organs.”
Drawing comparisons with “bold” Melania, Durham continued: “Where Melania doesn’t move at all, to be fair. You know, she’s there, she’s bold, she’s giving off that power position where there is no fear, where there is no negative emotion.
“So, although Kate looks like she is leading the conversation, what her body is saying is that she’s very much giving herself, or there’s an acknowledgement.
Body language expert Bruce Durham
“It may be that Melania being of a certain age, older than Kate, she is deferring power, authority across to her, but this all comes from where you notice Kate putting her hands, and her hands still stay there, after her explanation is done and Melania takes across, and it’s because, when Melania takes across the conversation, Kate’s hands remain there.
“That is the trigger point for her to defer authority, responsibility, reverence, if you will, to the older lady. Really interesting part there, if you just focus on hand position.”
Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
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