The body language move Kate Middleton used to set Donald Trump straight

Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK unfolded with all the grandeur—military displays, pageantry at Windsor, and a Red Arrows flypast. After formal meetings with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer—where a major tech deal was announced—the focus turned to Windsor’s state banquet, a hallmark of diplomatic theater.

At dinner, Trump was seated beside the Princess of Wales. Cameras captured them smiling and chatting easily. In such settings, posture, gestures, and orientation often say as much as words.

Body-language expert Bruce Durham suggested the pictures told an unusual story. He noted moments where Kate’s poised, upright carriage contrasted with Trump briefly lifting his shoulders and leaning back—making him appear, for a beat, deferential.

Banquets are designed to soften edges: careful seating, timed courses, and warm toasts keep things smooth. The Princess employed her usual diplomatic style—eye contact, nods, and light humor—while Trump appeared engaged, leaning in and smiling, even calling her “radiant” earlier in the day.

Royal watchers saw what they hoped: continuity mixed with sparkle. Kate embodied calm composure, Trump looked animated but receptive, and their exchange generated shareable, good-natured clips online.

Durham highlighted subtle cues: Kate’s steady hands signaling authority, Trump’s shoulder lift suggesting restraint, and their body angles showing attentiveness. These, he argued, built a picture of balance—Kate setting the rhythm, Trump matching it.

Ultimately, state banquets aren’t about policy but about tone. This one conveyed exactly what both sides wanted: the Princess in full command of her role, and the president amiable, attentive, and respectful.