Kate Middleton gracefully handles French President's 'awkward' gesture

Kate Middleton and Prince William welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte to the UK for a state visit. 

The encounter began at RAF Northolt, where the French couple arrived, and Macron offered his hand to Brigitte as she descended the stairs. 

However, she declined his assistance, sparking curiosity about their relationship dynamics.

Body language expert Judi James shared her insights on the encounter, noting that Macron's charm offensive was not deterred despite his wife's apparent snub. 

"The suggestion here was a big fat 'Non'," Judi said, referring to Brigitte's refusal to take Macron's hand. However, when Macron greeted Kate, he delivered a gallant air kiss towards her hand, which Judi described as a "quaintly antique" gesture.

According to the expert , Kate responded graciously to the gesture, smiling and perhaps aware that it was a ritual that required a certain level of diplomatic decorum. 

"This is a difficult ritual for the modern woman to respond to as it tends to prompt an embarrassed giggling in these more feminist times," she explained.

The encounter comes after Kate opened up about her "rollercoaster" cancer recovery and its life-changing impact. Despite her health challenges, Kate channeled diplomatic royal dressing, wearing a Christian Dior jacket and accessories from the royal family's collection.