Princess Kate, 42, was all smiles as she made a rare public outing to Wimbledon today, but a body language expert has claimed she showed signs of not being ‘on top form’

Princess Kate exuded ‘relaxed elegance’ at Wimbledon, though subtle cues suggested she wasn’t entirely ‘on top form’, a body language expert shared with The Mirror.

The 42-year-old Princess of Wales graced the tennis championships with her presence today, in a rare public appearance. She was accompanied by her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and sister, Pippa Middleton, to present the winner’s trophy at the men’s final. Fans were thrilled to see Kate, marking only her second public outing since revealing her cancer diagnosis in March.

Kate was last spotted at Trooping the Colour, the King’s annual birthday celebration, last month. She seemed cheerful alongside her husband Prince William and their three children. It was announced on Saturday that the Princess would be making an unexpected return to Centre Court, being an enthusiastic tennis fan and regular Wimbledon visitor.

It is Kate’s second public appearance, alongside Princess Charlotte, since her cancer diagnosis (Image: Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)

Kate radiated happiness as she waved twice to the adoring crowds upon her arrival at 1.45pm. Commenting on her emotional comeback, body language expert Judi James told The Mirror: “Kate oozed regal confidence here, greeting the screaming fans from the walkway with a delighted and slightly surprised-looking wave that Charlotte mirrored once her mother had turned to nudge her.”

“Dressed in deep purple, known as the Royal shade, Kate looked relaxed and elegant. The way she spent some extended moments chatting to the people backstage made her look in no hurry to escape to the comfort of the seats.”

However, Judi noted the Princess made small movements to reassure herself as all eyes were on her. She explained: “[Kate’s] gesticulation looked animated and there were only a couple of moments when she smoothed her hair in an unnecessary act of what looked like self-reassurance that she showed any sign of not being on top form again.”

Kate ‘oozed regal confidence’, body language expert Judi James says (Image: Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)

Plans had been put in place for the Duchess of Gloucester, an Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association for 25 years, to step in if the Princess of Wales was unavailable as she continues her treatment for cancer. But it was later revealed that she would be in attendance.

She will hand over the prize to either Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz today. It is usually common to spot the Prince or Princess of Wales in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. The Royal Box dates back to 1922 and has been used to entertain friends and guests of the tennis championships ever since.

Accordingly, you must be personally invited by the Chairman of the All England Club before you can enjoy one of the iconic green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs.

In her most recent update, the Princess said she is “making good progress” but “there are good days and bad days”. She also shared her hopes that she can “join a few public engagements over the summer” while also noting, “I am not out of the woods yet”.

Kate stepped down from public duties in January after announcing that she was having abdominal surgery.