Princess Charlene and Prince Albert’s loved-up display at the Rugby World Cup Final was an example of ‘trying too hard’ amid ongoing rumours about the state of their marriage, a body language expert has claimed.
Judi James, an expert based in the UK, assessed the Monegasque royals’ very affectionate body language as South Africa triumphed over the All Blacks to claim the world title at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening.
As the couple, 45 and 65, embraced and appeared not to be able to take their hands off each other, Judi explained the display was ‘uncomfortable’, with the Princess leading the way while a bewildered Prince responded.
She harked back to a visit Prince Albert took to Charlene’s native South Africa during her long stay there, in which she ‘clung to him like a limpet’ during a photoshoot – and reflected that the Monegasque royal’s display at the rugby was not dissimilar.
Judi also noted that Princess Charlene’s overall body language during public appearances can be difficult to interpret because it ‘lurches between two opposing extremes’.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco’s very loved up display at the Rugby World Cup final was ‘trying too hard’, body language expert Judi James has claimed
The expert said: ‘For most of [Charlene’s] appearances she will stand tall, rigid and statuesque, looking detached and terribly sad, with the most tragic-looking eye expression, even when she’s forcing a mouth smile.
‘But then, rarely but dramatically, she has a habit of launching into extreme PDAs, like the ones here.’
Judi added that Charlene was the one ‘leading the PDAs’ in the Stade de France, while in response, Albert’s body language signalled that he was ‘uncomfortable and slightly startled’.
She said: ‘Charlene’s excited knuckle-bumping looks sweetly childlike here and she gazes at her husband as though seeking a complimentary response.
The royal couple, 45 and 65, looked very affectionate as Charlene watched South Africa triumph over the All Blacks at the Stade de France in Paris
Judi James says Charlene’s resting of her head on Albert’s shoulder was an attempt to show ‘date-like’ body language
‘Placing a hand on Albert’s shoulder she moves in for a kiss although her mouth is still open in a smile and her eyes are glancing away to make this a distracted kiss.’
As the mother-of-two leant in to embrace her husband in what Judi describes as ‘one of her signature clinging gestures’, Charlene’s husband responded in a ‘more muted’ manner as he put his hands on her back.
‘When they break the hug he has one hand firmly on her shoulder in what looks like a gesture of restraint, as though the overkill PDA is not really his style,’ she said.
‘Charlene even places her tilted head onto or towards her husband’s shoulder as she watches the match, in a gesture that seems to make their outing together look more like a date.
‘She even uses the moment to feature her wedding ring, as though wanting to signal ongoing romance and bonding.
‘There is an air of awkwardness about these poses though, with Charlene suddenly trying very hard to signal affectionate fun, which seems to catch Albert slightly off-guard.
‘Given the ongoing rumours about their marriage it’s probably good to see her display a desire to show affection to the world, but often it’s the smaller, subtler signals that a couple exchange mutually that says the most rather than this ‘trying too hard’ type of PDA.
As the couple embraced and a jubilant Charlene celebrated following South Africa’s triumphant win over New Zealand, the royals appeared united following months of speculation about their marriage.
This summer, rumours circulated that the couple were living separate lives, with Charlene spending much of her time in Switzerland.
German newspaper Voici reported that the couple were co-parenting their eight-year-old twins, Jacques and Gabriella, but that their marriage itself was ‘for appearances only’ and that they were a ‘ceremonial couple’.
Princess Charlene of Monaco put on a loved-up display with husband Prince Albert at the Rugby World Cup Final in Paris on Saturday
However the couple appeared to put such rumours to bed during the Rugby World Cup Final as they looked incredibly close while cheering from the stands.
Last month, Princess Charlene attempted to quell persistent rumours that her marriage to Prince Albert is on the rocks, describing them as ‘exhausting’.
In an earlier interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sierra, Albert has said: ‘I don’t understand all these rumours, which hurt me, about us…they’re lies.’
For her part, Charlene maintains that she is ‘serene and happy’ in her marriage, denying rumours that surfaced in German and French media that she was now ‘living in Switzerland’ and that her marriage was ‘ceremonial’.
Speaking to South Africa’s News24 before her return last month, the princess, who shares twins Jacques and Gabriella with Prince Albert, said: ‘I find the rumours [about my marriage] tiring and exhausting.’
The royal, 45, was spotted cheering and hugging her Prince Albert as he congratulated her on her home country’s win against New Zealand at the Stade de France on Saturday evening
Mother-of-two Charlene – who herself is an athlete, winning a silver medal in swimming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – appeared in great spirits
The rare show of PDA follows months of speculation about the state of the royal couples marriage
During the game, Charlene and Albert were snapped looking very close as they cheered from the stands
Earlier in the tournament, the royal pair attended the Rugby World Cup match semi-finals where Charlene was seen punching the air as she watched her native South Africa beat England by 16-15.
During the engagement, Charlene and Albert were photographed interacting with the South Africa players in their dressing room, as well as cheering from the stands.
Charlene’s appearance yesterday followed her absence from a gala event the night before.
Prince Albert, along with his sister Princess Stephanie of Monaco honoured their late parents in a glitzy gala last week.
Both Charlene and the couple’s children – eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella – missed the gala.
Charlene looked typically chic in a grey coat which she wore over a black polo neck jumper
Meanwhile, her trademark pixie crop was styled into a neat side parting, while she added more glamour with her statement gold hoop earrings
However, Stephanie’s children joined their mother at the event, at the Monte Carlo Casino for the Centenary Ball, which paid tribute to the late Prince Ranier III on the 100th year of his birth.
To formally open the ball, Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie shared a sweet moment as they teamed up for a ballroom dance.
Before appearing at the rugby yesterday, Charlene’s last public appearance was earlier this month, when she joined her husband and his niece Charlotte Casiraghi, 37, to launch a new boat for Monaco’s maritime police.
The boat they inaugurated, the Saint Georges shuttle, is the latest addition to the police fleet. Capable of reaching 45 knots, it will be useful for sea rescues and other missions.