Body language expert reveals key message Kate Middleton is sending through Christmas card

A body language expert has revealed the key message Kate Middleton has sent fans through her Christmas card.

On Thursday (19 December), the Prince and Princess of Wale's card was released to the public, just a matter of days after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released theirs on Monday (16 December).

"Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year," the card's message read, compared to the Sussexes'm which read: "We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year."

William and Kate stuck with just one full family photo which was shared the form of a GIF - but it was their choice of snap which left one royal expert accusing the couple of having broken major royal protocol.

The image of the family of five was actually taken the same day that a video was recorded back in September, where Kate revealed she'd concluded her recent round of chemotherapy.

The choice to use the previously-seen photo marks a notable change in the tradition, given that William and Kate are known to share brand-new pictures for their annual Christmas cards.

So, what was the reason behind the choice of photo?

Well, according to body language expert Judi James, the decision to choose the snap marking the end of Kate's chemotherapy was a 'very personal' one.

The photo in question shows that the couple, alongside their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte nine and six-year-old Prince Louis, are 'growing even closer together over the years'.

"Their poses have been relatable to all parents of a young family and they are all aimed at the camera to wish their good tidings to every recipient," she explained.

Describing this year's card as 'an almost nostalgic step back', Judi pointed out that it took the family-of-five 'back to those idyllic summer holidays when they all played together and had fun as a young family.'

Judi also noted that the choice to reference the milestone moment in Kate's chemotherapy journey reveals her 'emotionally complex' state of mind in 'a very personal message to the public'.

The expert carried on: "The body language looks spontaneous rather than posed with a card in mind. The family breakdown as in who poses where seems to have been decided naturally rather than the rather formally posed line-ups of the past.

"There is almost no age definition here or pecking order, either. William and Kate sit with their children like their children. Support and protection signals look almost mutual."