Kate Middleton began doing royal engagements as soon as her official engagement with Prince William was announced in November 2010. During 2011 and right after the couple’s wedding, William and Kate performed many joint engagements including a nine-day royal tour to Canada in June. This was then followed by a royal trip to California in July.
They also met with then-President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace as part of the Obamas’ two-day state visit to Britain in May earlier that year.
However, 2011 was also the year that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie had their 24-hour state-funded security removed.
A report published at the time suggested Eugenie spent more than £100,000 of taxpayers’ money as she explored India, America, Thailand and South Africa during her gap year.
Prince Charles reportedly stepped in to control the spending, suggesting Eugenie and Beatrice did not need costly security as it was unlikely they would ever become working royals.
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At Christmas that year, the entire Royal Family attended Sandringham as is the usual custom, including the Cambridges and the two York Princesses.
A recently resurfaced clip on social media showed Kate leaving St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate on Christmas morning in 2011.
Princess Eugenie was right behind the Duchess of Cambridge but appeared eager to get past Kate and make her way down the steps first.
Kate responded by flicking her hair and continuing walking in the direction she was going.
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The Duchess of Cambridge then went towards the crowd of royal fans who gather every year to meet the royals at Sandringham.
A body language expert, Judi James, spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about the video and analysed both Eugenie’s actions and Kate’s reaction.
She said: “Taken at face value, there seem to be reasons why this is suggested as a sign of possible friction or frostiness from Princess Eugenie to Kate at this stage in their relationship.
“Eugenie clearly wears an unsmiling expression despite the fact the other royals seem to be in full social smile mode.
“Kate is in front but William seems to be turning back towards his cousin who suddenly sets to get past Kate and walk off in front.
“We can’t see from this clip if there was any push or even touch from Eugenie as she goes past Kate’s part-turned torso.
“So if the rumours are true it would need to have occurred if Eugenie’s elbow or arm touched Kate’s back,” the expert claimed.
Judi continued: “What we can seem to see though is Kate reacting quickly, suggesting she has been alerted that Eugenie is coming through.
“It could be this reaction that has sparked rumours of some jostling.
“She looks at Eugenie but gets no non-verbal reply so she turns back to her official and very charming body language, even performing a hair-flick gesture to suggest she’s brushing off any problems.”
The body language expert noted that there could be other explanations for the encounter.
She added: “Of course, there could be other sides to this narrative, with Eugenie maybe dashing to get into her car.
“But with her rather grim facial expression and Kate’s apparent look of surprise followed by a checking gaze, it’s odd there was no smiling response of apology here during Eugenie’s sudden urgent dash.”
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