Real reason Kate Middleton tapped Prince William’s bum on the red carpet ahead of BAFTAs return, says body language pro
PRINCESS Kate is set to make a dazzling return to the red carpet at the 2025 Baftas in February, according to reports.
One of the most flirty moments between the Prince and Princess of Wales took place two years ago at the event – when Kate playfully tapped William’s bottom.
According to a body language expert, there was more to the rare PDA moment that met the eye.
Judi James told The Sun at the time: “Kate and William do look much less inhibited with their PDAs now they have moved up the royal pecking order.
“Last night’s bottom pat from Kate also showed where some of the power behind the scenes might lie.”
According to the expert, Kate did the cheeky touch in a bid to get William to hold her hand.
Judi claimed: “Kate’s pat was more than just a flirt signal.
“The gesture began when she appeared to raise her right hand with the thumb apart from the fingers to signal a desire to hold hands.
“William didn’t respond though, leaning to chat instead, and so Kate’s small pat or tap on the bum looked part-sexy, part playful reprimand for missing her non-verbal cue.”
Judi added that William seemed to enjoy the flirty moment as he sported a “cocked thumb”, which is a “classic male body language signal suggesting intense pleasure.”
She continued: “The couple looked totally relaxed and openly excited to be doing full glam on the red carpet.
“They used more eye contact than usual and their touch rituals had increased to create a suggestion of flirting.”
It was also suggested that Kate’s flirty moment could have been in response to Prince Harry’s claims at the time about “royal men marrying women who ‘fit into the mould.”
Judi added: “This seems to be Kate showing she should not be fitted into any mould, with her Hollywood-style glamour and her very cheeky gesture to her husband.”
According to the Mail, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) organisers are “pulling out all the stops” so Kate can return this year.
The Princess of Wales missed the 2024 event due to her health struggles, and Prince William walked the red carpet solo.
This year the event will take place on February 16, and BAFTA film committee chairman Anna Higgs is “very hopeful” Kate will be able to attend.
In September, Kate announced that she had finished her chemotherapy treatment and is focusing on remaining cancer-free.
Kate and William do look much less inhibited with their PDAs now they have moved up the royal pecking order
Judi James
She said she was “looking forward” to being back at work and taking on a few more public engagements in the coming months.
William revealed Kate aims to step up her royal engagements in 2025.
He said: “I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so, we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.”
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent abdominal surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the Princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos
June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel’s Review but pens letter to Irish Guards revealing: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”
June 15: Kate attends Trooping the Colour alongside her family
July 14: Kate attends the Wimbledon Men’s Final with Princess Charlotte
August 11: Kate and William release video congratulating Team GB after the Paris Olympics
August 25: Kate is seen heading to church
September 9: Kate shares moving video revealing she has finished chemotherapy