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I Just Noticed Something Strange About Prince William's Body Language and Now I Can't Unsee It

Looks like the Prince of Wales has a go-to move

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Dimitris Legakis - WPA Pool/Getty Images

As a royals reporter, I always have my eye on the royal fam—including, of course, Prince William. And though the future monarch, 42, keeps a busy schedule and makes a lot of royal pronouncements (like his rare update on wife Kate Middleton), sometimes what he doesn't say out loud speaks louder than what he does say. (Yes, I'm talking about his body language.)

For example, he recently met with an actress from The Crown and played it super cool, not awkward in the least. And his eyes spoke volumes about his relationship at an outing earlier this month, according to a body language expert. But in all my observing of the prince's behavior, I somehow missed something quite strange: He has a signature move.

Don't believe me? Check out his body language from yesterday's visit with Homewards Newport where he learned about the organization's efforts to prevent women's homelessness.

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Dimitris Legakis - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Still don't notice anything strange? See if you can spot just how familiar his body language looks one day earlier at the Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace (where his stepmother Queen Camilla stole the show with her headpiece).

prince william body language
Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Fine, I'll just come out and say it. During public events, it seems Prince William can't stop himself from crossing his hands in front of his body. In fact, he uses this move over and over and over again.

While it might seem like a common place to put one's hands, from a body language perspective, it actually indicates a slight level of discomfort and a desire to stay closed off. The hands in front of the body are a kind of protective move. (TBH, with all the public outings, I can't blame the prince for wanting to remain on his guard. I just can't believe I never spotted it before.)

Here he is again during his surprise trip to Northern Ireland at Ulster University's Belfast City Campus Centre.

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Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty Images

Perhaps, I thought to myself, he simply feels less comfortable on a solo outing. "I bet when his wife or family is around, he's much more at ease..."

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Chris J. Ratcliffe - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The prince used the same move earlier this month at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall while his wife stood next to him (rocking a very millennial look). "There goes that theory..."

prince william body language
Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty Images

Notably, he took this stance during almost every major recent royal event. But there was one occasion where his hands remained firmly by his side, except for when he was delivering a salute.

On November 10, Prince William took part in a Service of Remembrance in honor of those who have died in combat. During this more formal, ceremonial outing, while donning his military stripes, the prince kept his hands in place with a stoic look on his face.

prince william body language
Ray Tang-Pool via Samir Hussein/WireImage

So it seems the prince is simply human after all and has a bit of a safety move when he's out in public. NBD. I can only imagine what I do with my hands when I'm in an uncomfortable situation...

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