Imagine this. You are out and about, trying to tell your spouse something, and the whole world is observing you, analyzing you, and using their lip-reading and body language expert skills to deduce what you are saying and what you are not saying. That's how the Prince and Princess of Wales feel every time they step out of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

William and Kate have been together for more than 20 years, half their lives, and know no other way. The blinding glare of the spotlight has been on them since the early 1980s. So naturally, the couple has found a way to handle it. The Mirror reports that the two "have developed a secret way of communicating with each other while attending official functions where many eyes are on them."

Darren Stanton, a body language expert, told the paper that the two have long shared a private shorthand that has helped them grow in confidence. Kate will celebrate 13 years of marriage to William in April, during which time she has become more integrated into her royal role and more confident and self-assured. In the early years, she was more shy, timid, and cautious (you can hardly blame her), which led her to develop secret ways of communicating with William, Stanton said.

"Kate's confidence has grown dramatically over the last few years," says Stanton." When Kate was first introduced as a public figure, we saw her play with her hair a lot and seek William's support during joint interviews and events. It was the same for William, and the two sought reassurance from each other. In the early days they were not very confident, and looking into each other's eyes was a way of checking in with each other. They both wanted reassurance."

These days, says Stanton, Kate has a "subtle confidence" and tension no longer rules them. Says Stanton, "In the last few years, Kate hasn't shown any signs of being nervous or looking to William for reassurance." Her confidence has grown tremendously. She is happy to be there, to prove she is here, and to get on with her work. She has an inner strength and a drive to do her best. This is demonstrated by holding her head high, actively participating in conversations, and making strong eye contact with people she has never met before. Kate did not have this confidence before and the confidence she has is quite stable."

He describes this confidence as "not too overwhelming and it is clear that her role is a natural fit. Kate always makes firm eye contact with everyone and never seems to be depressed. She rarely crosses her arms, which is usually a sign of someone who feels out of place due to a lack of confidence."