Kate Middleton reportedly produced a secret ‘micro-gesture’ akin to the late Princess Diana at the 2025 Wimbledon finals, according to a body language expert.
The 138th edition of the Wimbledon Championships concluded this weekend, with 24-year-old Iga Šwiątek making history on Saturday (12 July) by becoming the second woman in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam final 6-0, 6-0.
The Polish star’s double bagel triumph saw her defeat 23-year-old opponent Amanda Anisimova in a jaw-dropping 57-minute match.
Following the grass-based bout, Šwiątek was presented the Rosewater Dish for the first time in her tennis career by Kate, Princess of Wales.
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43-year-old Kate, a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, has been handing out gongs since 2016 after receiving the honour from Queen Elizabeth II.
Ahead of the prize giving, the royal mother-of-three was spotted watching on from Centre Court’s Royal Box with the likes of Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, actor Stanley Tucci and Barbie director Greta Gerwig.
According to the Mirror, body language expert Judi James claimed Kate showed ‘signals of genuine delight and a little awe’ while taking her seat next to American tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King and the legendary Martina Navratilova in the stands.
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The future Queen of England’s wide-eyed expression appeared ‘spontaneous and authentic’ despite the formalities going on around her, the professional said on behalf of VBET.
Meanwhile, Judi claimed that Kate produced a ‘secret signal’ when Centre Court erupted into a standing ovation - a ‘shy, low wave’ she said was about ‘deflecting’ the crowd’s adoration.
“The response from the crowd is to roar louder, making Kate giggle,” Judi observed.
“She then performs the very telling micro-gesture of playful modesty, jutting her neck quickly in what looks like a comedy gulp of embarrassment, before flashing a broad smile with her teeth edge-to-edge.”
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The body language expert likened this wave to that of Kate’s husband’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
“Like Diana, Kate shares a trait of showing modest amusement that she should be the subject of any adulation,” she said.
“It’s in stark contrast to the traditional regal acknowledgement - the formal wave that signals ‘expectations met’ - beloved of other royals like the Queen Mother and the late Queen.”
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As well as watching the Wimbledon women’s singles final in SW19, Kate spoke to women’s wheelchair singles champion Wang Ziying moments after the Paralympian beat Yui Kamiji, the No.1 seed, 6-3, 6-3.
The outlet also reported that Kate spoke to 12-year-old Sophie Kneen and eight-year-old Lydia Lowe, two young girls who were tasked with coin tosses across the tournament.
On Sunday (July 13), Kate returned to Wimbledon to watch Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner battle it out on Centre Court in the men’s singles final.
She was joined by her husband, William, the Prince of Wales, 43, and two of her children, Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, 10.
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Their youngest son, Prince Louis, seven, was not in attendance.
Following Sinner’s first Wimbledon win, Kate handed the 23-year-old Italian the silver gilt trophy. She then presented Alcaraz, 22, with his runners-up prize.
The newly-crowned Wimbledon winner is reported to have spoken to the royals about tennis, claiming it was ‘so nice’ to have them watching on.
“You see how much they care about tennis and the sport itself. It's very prestigious,” Sinner said.
“I've been lucky to meet [Kate] and the whole family, and it was a very nice moment.”
Kate’s appearances at Wimbledon make up part of the royal’s gradual return to public duties following news that her cancer was in remission.
Ten months after Kensington Palace announced the Princess was undergoing treatment for cancer, she took to social media and wrote: “It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery.”
“As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal,” she added.
“I am, however, looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”
Topics: Kate Middleton, Wimbledon, Sport, Royal Family, UK News
Ella Scott