EXCLUSIVE: William has developed a new 'stomach-pat ritual' to help him cope when he is anxious or in discomfort, reveals body language

• e-mail

The Duke of Cambridge has started displaying a new 'stomach-pat ritual' which could be a sign of discomfort or anxiety he has developed following his antics in the Alps, a body language expert said today.

Grim-faced Prince William looked like 'a man not just in the doghouse but right at the back' while his wife Kate was 'smiling for two' at their first public appearance since the boozy skiing break, according to Judi Jones.

And the expert also spotted how he used a new stomach-pat ritual at least twice as he visited the Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, West London, for the annual Irish Guards St Patrick's Day Parade this morning.

Ms Jones said: 'William also seems to have developed a new, stomach-pat ritual which he uses several times on this outing. Like his father he's always employed small self-comfort hand gesture rituals.'

Two occasions: The Duke of Cambridge has started displaying a new 'stomach-pat ritual' which could be a sign of discomfort or anxiety he has developed following his antics in the Alps, a body language expert said today

William has often used small self-comfort hand gesture rituals like his father Charles - who is known for pocket-patting and fiddling with a cuff or wristwatch strap - but Ms Jones said this was 'more pronounced that usual'.

She said: 'With Charles it involves pocket-patting and fiddling with a cuff or wristwatch strap. But this is more pronounced that usual. Self-patting like this is often a sign of discomfort or even anxiety.

'Chest-patting is usually more about arrogance and ego, but stomach-pats are the opposite and can create the opportunity to form a small, momentary barrier that makes the patter feel safer.'

And Ms Jones told MailOnline that Kate's smile is a 'force of nature' and she was 'looking as actively professional as her husband looks uncomfortable' while presenting shamrocks during the event.  

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow for the Irish Guards St Patrick's Day Parade 2017

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are honouring soldiers in London before travelling to France for a Brexit charm offensive

The Duchess of Cambridge presents the 1st Battalion Irish Guardsmen with shamrocks during the parade in London today

The annual Irish Guards' St Patrick's Day Parade took place at Household Cavalry Barracks in London today

She said: 'The truly puzzling thing about these poses is why William has decided to look like a man not just in the doghouse but right at the back, sulking in a corner, when he was given every body language reason not to have to do so.

'While the sight of him dad-dancing on his 'party with the Pelly posse' break from goodness-knows-what is seared on the public's poor unsuspecting minds this first après-ski outing involved him appearing in uniform, which also means an easy 'out' if he had chosen to adopt an inscrutable, military bearing to go with it.

'Sadly he seems to have opted for a look that appears gloomy and detached instead, standing with his head down or tilted to one side and with either a rather fixed smile or a semi mouth-shrug that suggest he is a not a fan of the usual 'smile and wave' Carry-On Monarchy' look that his grandparent's generation of royals are always so good at.

'William looks glum and downcast and the contrast between his facial expression and posture and his wife Kate's could hardly be sharper. Kate's smile is a force of nature, one of her unique selling points as a popular royal. 

The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she visits the 1st Battalion Irish Guards during the St. Patrick's Day Parade today

After his Alpine exploits last weekend William looked pensive and self-conscious as his smiling wife took part in proceedings

The official royal visit comes in the month that Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to trigger Article 50

'Here she's smiling for two when she's communicating with other military personnel, looking as actively professional as her husband looks uncomfortable.

'It's only in those moments that she and William seem to be performing the normal couples' tie-signs, i.e. those glances or muttered words that all couples do when they're out together in public, that we can see Kate at her Mary Poppins best, smiling and talking to William at the same time but with a much stiffer top lip than usual and looking very much in charge in the relationship.

'And before we begin to assume William is feeling sheepish about his party behaviour, remember that these body language rituals can apply to both sheepishness and a form of sulk that will often occur when a royal just feels piqued about any press criticism that is felt to be unfair.'

The grim-faced Duke of Cambridge had the Duchess by his side as he attended the parade in London today before they travel to France for a two-day Brexit charm offensive.

After his Alpine exploits last weekend William, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, looked pensive and self-conscious as his smiling wife, wearing all-green, had a cascade of shamrocks - the national emblem of Ireland - pinned to her coat.

Later today William, who has been accused of being 'workshy', will make his first official visit to Paris just months before the 20th anniversary of his mother Princess Diana's death.

They will meet President Francois Hollande and later be guests of honour at a glittering dinner party in Paris tonight.

The black-tie event, hosted by Britain's ambassador to France Edward Llewellyn, will celebrate the friendship and cultural ties between the UK and France and among the guests will be celebrities from the worlds of film and sport.

Acclaimed actress Kristin Scott-Thomas is expected to attend along with French acting stars Jean Reno and Audrey Tautou and former Arsenal footballer Robert Pires.

The Duke, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, and the Duchess will visit the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at their base in Hounslow

Kate, wearing all green, had a cascade of shamrocks - the national emblem of Ireland - pinned to her coat

William and Kate's trip to France comes a few days after the Duke was enjoying a skiing break with friends in Verbier

William and Kate's trip comes a few days after the Duke was last on the continent enjoying a skiing break with friends in Verbier.

He has been criticised by newspapers who poked fun at his antics on the dance floor and in the DJ booth but also questioned his judgement at missing a major Commonwealth celebration with the Queen for the social event.

The official royal visit comes in the month that Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to trigger Article 50, beginning Brexit negotiations.

William and Kate's trip will be seen as a bid to build on the UK's bilateral relationship with France and they have already been dubbed 'Brexit Ambassadors' by the press.

After attending the parade in London today, the Cambridges will begin their visit to France by meeting President Hollande

William and Kate will also be attending the Six Nations rugby match between Wales and France at the Stade de France

William and Kate's forthcoming trip to France will be seen as a bid to build on the UK's bilateral relationship with France

William has often used small self-comfort hand gesture rituals like his father Charles - who is known for pocket-patting and fiddling with a cuff or wristwatch strap (as pictured above) - but Ms Jones said this was 'more pronounced that usual'

The Cambridges will begin their official visit with a meeting with President Hollande which is likely to be held at his official residence the Elysee Palace.

On Friday evening before the dinner party Mr Llewellyn will host a reception at the embassy to mark the launch of Les Voisins - a celebration of UK-French links - where the Cambridges will meet young French leaders from a range of fields from the arts to fashion and business.

On Saturday the highlight of the day will see William and Kate attend the Six Nations rugby match between Wales and France at the Stade de France.

This will be William's first event as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, a role he took over from his grandmother the Queen.

The trip to Paris - where William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in a car crash - comes as the Duke prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of her death in August this year.

He is not expected to visit the scene of the crash in the Pont D'Alma tunnel nor commemorate the forthcoming anniversary while in France.