The Signature Poses of Your Favorite Royals
Kate's Duchess Slant never goes out of style.
Being photographed comes with the territory of being a royal. Every state visit, engagement, and important meeting is usually filled with flashing cameras, all picking up their every move. That's why members of the royal family often adopt a go-to pose—a poised stance they can rely on time and time again. These carefully chosen positions help them look graceful and prepared at all times, no matter the occasion.
What makes this concept really interesting is that every royal's signature pose is different. You can immediately tell the difference between what has been coined Kate Middleton's Duchess Slant and Meghan Markle's warm wave. You can easily spot Prince Harry tucking his hand under his jacket versus Prince William's wide-legged stance. This isn't just reserved for older members of the royal family either. Prince George and Princess Charlotte have taken a liking to certain poses as well, and they're absolutely adorable.
From the late Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles and more, take a look at all the stances the royals have used through the years.
Meghan Markle and Duchess Kate: The Duchess Slant
Meghan Markle and the then-Duchess of Cambridge both showed off the Duchess Slant while appearing together at Royal Foundation Forum in 2018. The Duchess Slant is Kate's signature pose: The seated position was actually named after her, People reports.
December 2006
Kate has been perfecting the Duchess Slant since long before she was royal.
September 2012
By the time Kate and William married in 2011, she had it mastered.
June 2013
The then-Duchess of Cambridge even pulled off the slant while pregnant with Prince George.
April 2016
In one of Will and Kate's most iconic photos to date, she sits in the Duchess Slant pose while visiting the Taj Mahal.
September 2016
The Duchess Slant is a royal tour mainstay: Kate also pulled out the pose while on royal tour with Prince William in Canada.
March 2023
Years later, you can still spot Kate, now the Princess of Wales, doing her signature pose—even if the slant isn't always as prominent. At a St. Patrick's Day Parade, she debuted a slightly straighter pose than usual. Perhaps a sign of her new role as Princess?
Prince George: Crossed Legs
To mark Prince George's first day of school in September 2017, the Palace released this sweet snap of the young royal in his signature stance: standing with his legs crossed.
July 2017
William and Kate's eldest was photographed with his legs crossed during a royal tour of Poland and Germany.
Princess Charlotte: Princess Point
Princess Charlotte showed off her signature move, the Princess Point, while on a royal tour in Germany and Poland in July 2017.
October 2016
An excited Princess Charlotte pointing to a photographer while in Canada during a royal tour.
June 2017
The best place for a little princess to look up is on the Buckingham Palace balcony, of course! Princess Charlotte pointed to a flyover above from the balcony during a Trooping the Colour parade.
June 2019
The adorable royal pointed to the skies once again at another Trooping the Colour parade.
Prince Harry: The Tucked Hand
Prince Harry's signature gesture is a tucked hand under his jacket, as seen here in November 2017, when he announced his engagement to Meghan Markle.
July 1994
He's been doing it since childhood!
June 2003
Here he is on his last day at Eton College.
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