Sisters-in-lawKate Middleton and Meghan Marklewould seem to have so much in common.

So are the women indeed on the outs?

It’s not a relaxed, authentic smile, it’s tense and forced," Birney emphasized.

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle

Kate looks past Meghan, not giving her the time of day, but Meghan’s grin is unwavering.

No one else around Meghan is smiling either, so it really does stand out," Birney said.

Could Meghan be smiling simply because she’s… happy?

Commonwealth Day Kate Middleton Meghan Markle

Birney waved off that idea.

“Essentially, she’s faking it.”

She pointed to a video of them interacting onChristmas Day, 2018.

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Christmas 2018

“It’s a very different kind of interaction,” Birney observed.

“The two lean subtly in towards one another as they walk from the church,” she said.

“They do make repeated eye contact, and seem to have a much warmer, kinder interaction.”

This connection, Birney observed, suggests genuine caring between the women.

This wasn’t the first Christmas the two couples enjoyed together.