The new Kate Middleton: Body language expert reveals the two signs that show how the Princess of Wales has changed after year from hell - and why she's now echoing Princess Diana

Kate Middleton was far more 'animated' and 'less guarded' as she attended her Christmas carol concert after the most difficult year of her life, a body language expert has said.

This time last year Kate, 42, was focusing on her work and children, and looking forward to the festive season with little inclination of what was to come.

Weeks later she underwent major abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors broke the news that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo a gruelling course of preventative chemotherapy.     

Kate and her husband Prince William found their lives turned upside down.

Now, having completed her treatment, the royal is beginning to return to public duties and last night held her fourth 'Together At Christmas' carol service at Westminster Abbey, which will be televised by ITV on Christmas Eve.

After this difficult year, body language expert Judi James told MailOnline there are clear signs that the Princess of Wales has changed, becoming 'more animated' and 'less guarded'.

The expert noted that Kate's 'flickering, animated body language' and 'emotional range' at last night's event now echoes that of her late mother-in-law Princess Diana.

She said: 'Comparing and contrasting the two women is rarely a fair thing to do but it's interesting how Kate's illness seems to have opened some small floodgates for her in terms of openly showing her love for William in the video update she made, and now in her approach to public events.'

Judi said there are 'intrinsic, visible changes to Kate's body language that suggest her illness has added an extra dimension in terms of emotional signalling'. 

Kate's 'smiles, her laughter, her posture and her energy signals' all 'hopefully hint at an ongoing recovery', the expert explained.

But, she said, the mother-of-three was also showing 'stronger and more confident-looking projections of empathy than ever before'.

'Her facial expressions have become more animated here, with an expanded range of running movements than we have seen her use in public before,' Judi explained.

'Royals tend to be very good at displaying sympathy but Kate's conversion to strong, personally felt empathy suggests she might now feel she shares experiences more, especially as there were several cancer survivors in the audience at this event.

'She looks more emotionally confident here and far less careful and guarded than she often used to.'

The body language expert pointed to one particular moment at the 'Together At Christmas' carol service on Friday, in which Kate recounted a story about her children Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.

She explained: 'Telling the story about Louis keeping the secret from Charlotte she uses mime rituals to act out her emotions and his, even rolling her eyes and widening them as she tells the story.'

The princess, who has been ‘hands on’ over every aspect of the carol service and held regular planning meetings at Windsor, arrived on her own at 4pm on Friday to view the abbey and oversee last minute arrangements.

Kate put on an elegant display in an Alexander McQueen red coat, featuring a statement black bow, which she teamed with her black Ralph Lauren boots for the occasion.

She was joined just before the start of the event by her three children - Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six - as well as her husband, the Prince of Wales.

Both Prince George and Prince Louis were wearing festive red ties to match their mother’s outfit, while Princess Charlotte had on a red coat. 

The entire Middleton family clan, who have been Kate's dedicated support network throughout, was present, as were other members of the Royal Family, including Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and the Duchess of Edinburgh. 

Pregnant Beatrice was joined by her husband Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and her stepson Christopher Woolf Mapelli Mozzi. 

Other royal guests included the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Gabriella Windsor and Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret's daughter.

The King and Queen, however, were not amongst the guests.

Her father-in-law has, however, donated Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park to decorate the building, which will later be donated to the local community.

Looking typically stylish for the outing, Kate completed her festive ensemble with a red check skirt, her Mulberry Amberley Baroque Pearl Earrings and a £110 Gold Plated bangle by British brand Halcyon Days.

The bangle is thought to have been a birthday present from Prince William in 2020, and features a subtle nod to Princess Diana as it's called 'the Salamander Torque Forget-Me-Not & Gold Bangle ' - named after the late royal's favourite flower.

Showcasing her stylish prowess, Kate kept her brunette locks in soft waves and added to her features with a smattering of glamorous makeup. 

The 1,600-strong congregation largely consisted of members of the public recommended by Lord Lieutenants across the country for their community and charity work as a ‘thank you’ from the princess.

Also among them were members of the Southport community affected by this summer’s tragic stabbing, including children who survived the attack and the families of the three little girls who died.

Travelling from Yorkshire was the family of inspirational Liz Hatton, who was invited to Windsor by the prince and princess in October to help complete a photography ‘bucket list’.

She sadly died last week of a rare form of cancer at the age of just 17, with William and Kate paying a moving public tribute to her strength and dignity.

RAF veteran Bernard Morgan, aged 100, from Crewe, was also present from the Royal British Legion. He landed in Normandy on D-Day in 1944.

Sources have told the Mail that the service’s theme of empathy and the importance of the support of others at the most difficult times in our lives was, understandably, inspired by the princess’ own experiences this year.

But she was also keen to highlight others who are also going through similarly hard experiences.

Supported by her Royal Foundation, Kate was determined to ‘celebrate the many people supporting those in need - individuals who have inspired, counselled and comforted and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive’.