10 March 2024 , 21:48
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Eagle-eyed royal watchers may have noticed a slight change in the Princess of Wales and her kids.
This morning Princess Kate shared a photo of herself sitting with kids George, Charlotte and Louis, to mark Mother's Day. It is the first time the royal has been officially photographed since she entered hospital for medical treatment.
The royal also broke her silence following the treatment, writing: "Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C."
The new photo, posted on Kate and William's social channels, sees Kate surrounded by George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five, on what appears to be an outdoor porch setting. Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror "at first glance" the snap looks like the "kind of style, pose and body language that we’ve seen from the Wales’s official photos before".
However, compared to previous Mother's Day shots, Kate and her three kids seem less formal and inhibited. "This photo seems to be showing us a glimpse of the energetic, active and fun-loving version of Kate," Judi added.
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On a previous Mother's Day the four royals were seen perched up a tree (@KensingtonRoyal/Twitter)"Kate's arms are around her two youngest children in a protective gesture and all three children look relaxed, with their open-mouthed laughter and smiles looking reasonably spontaneous and unforced."
Previous Mother's Day photos have been a big hit with the royal-loving public. In one, Kate was seen holding Prince Louis in her arms, the pair enjoying a playful cuddle. Another picture shows the Princess, Louis, George and Charlotte perching in a tree as the sun streams through its leaves and branches.
Unlike many of the young royal family’s previous snaps - which are normally taken by Kate herself - these two were taken by photographer Matt Porteous, who has captured prior family events such as Prince Louis’ christening.
The young royals have also been photographed riding their parents (Internet Unknown)
Kate has also been photographed gazing lovingly at Prince Louis (@KensingtonRoyal/Twitter)The latter is a particular favourite of fans of The Firm, due to its creative composition and the way the family are happily balanced in the branches. However, it's fair to say that their facial expressions are not quite as uninhibited as in the photo released today.
"What we have is a warm, dimpled and very congruent-looking smile rather than the performed royal type of smile. What seems to be Kate’s body language ‘tell’ comes from her eye expression though," Judi said of the latest picture of the Princess of Wales.
"This is an eye-smile with a sparkle of excitement plus a sense of playfulness, to suggest that bond of fond humour that Kate and William have always shared is still very much in place."
There is another small detail that sets this year's Mother's Day photo apart from previous ones. Eagled-eyed royal watchers have noticed that the hand of the third in line to the throne, Charlotte, has been partially spliced from her arm.
In the picture, there is a small gap to the inside of her left arm by her wrist. Where the viewer assumes there should be a length of pink cardigan, there is negative space before the knitted garment continues further around the limb.