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William became smitten with Kate as soon as he locked eyes with the young brunette while she was modelling a sheer dress in a charity fashion show at the University of St Andrews.
They started dating in 2002 and after a small hiccup in 2007, the Prince and Princess of Wales went on to tie the knot in a beautiful, picturesque ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 2012.
Over the years, the public has fallen in love with Kate and William’s love story and royal fans are always keen to catch a glimpse of the royal couple on public outings.
While the parents-of-three do occasionally show affection towards each other; Kate and William are known to take their royal duties incredibly seriously – ensuring professionalism is the priority.
However, in a year of worry and strife for the Wales family as both Princess and King Charles have undergone cancer treatment, royal fans may have noticed a shift in how their royal highnesses present themselves to the world; revealing extraordinarily intimate glimpses into family life and demonstrating their love and care for each other in public outings.
Judi James, a UK body language expert, commented on how the pair ‘couldn’t keep their hands off each other’ at the Festival of Remembrance last month as Kate continued her slow return into public life.
The change in the way the couple present themselves comes after a year of health woes for the royal family; which began in January when the Princess of Wales was taken to hospital for abdominal surgery; after which she revealed cancer had been detected during the operation. Meanwhile King Charles also revealed he was being treated for cancer.
As she focused on her health, Kate stepped away from the limelight and underwent chemotherapy, while William also reduced the number of royal engagements he carried out in order to look after his wife and the children.
Kate is pictured smiling at William during her appearance at Trooping the Colour
However at the beginning of September, Kate revealed to royal fans the news they had been waiting for; she had completed chemotherapy and was focusing on remaining ‘cancer-free’.
The deeply personal footage showed an intimate portrait of Kate and William’s relationship like never seen before.
Kate said in the video, which was filmed in Norfolk: ‘This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.’
It offered many new insights into their life together, including their sweet and affectionate bond with each other.
It also brought the couple closer to the public, allowing them to get a flavour of who they are behind closed doors.
Along with speaking about their love for each other, the duo shared two passionate, heartfelt kisses.
And although the cameras have picked up the future king and queen kissing, these have only been a handful of times over the past two decades.
In 2006, a young William and Kate were seen canoodling at Eton after the Prince had played an ‘old boys’ football match.
In 2011, William kissed Kate when she presented him with a prize and trophy at The Foundation Polo Challenge in California.
Along with speaking about their love for each other during Kate’s emotional cancer update video, the duo shared two passionate kisses
The Prince and Princess of Wales in the original image, part of a video issued on September 9
More than a decade later, he has kept this tradition and was snapped kissing his wife as they attended the Royal Charity Polo Cup in 2022 in Egham.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams revealed that the royals’ lack of PDA is often likely because couples do not want to overshine a cause that they are championing at an event.
He previously told the Express: ‘It is very rare for members of the royal family to show affection publicly on official engagements, it doesn’t look appropriate or professional.’
Mr Fitzwilliams explained an embrace would mean ‘royal body language is the story’ rather than the event.
As the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip rarely showed PDA, Mr Fitzwilliams added that it set the precedent for other royals, including William and Kate and Charles and Camilla.
At the same Festival of Remembrance, the duo shared an intimate moment after a hymn from their wedding was played at the festival
Footage showed Prince William lightly and lovingly clasping at Princess Kate’s upper waist and back as they were guided into the renowned London music hall
However, it is thought that once royals reach a senior level, they are trusted to use their ‘better judgement’ on when it is appropriate, according to royal etiquette expert Myka Meie.
On Thursday afternoon, William and Kate further showed their softer side as they released their family Christmas card.
The heartfelt image shows William and Kate in Norfolk, alongside their children Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis.
The image was taken from the video released by Kate in September which confirmed she would return to public duties following the completion of her course of chemotherapy.
The post on social media said: ‘Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas’ – with the words inside the card saying: ‘Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.’
Body language expert Judi James described this card as ‘an almost nostalgic step back,’ stripping back their usual sophisticated stature we’ve seen in previous years.
She suggested their marriage is as strong as ever, Kate also has her hands ‘resting on William’s thigh to show ongoing attraction and affection.’
Meanwhile, ‘William’s ‘wing’ arm is around Louis but his left hand cups Kate’s hip in a tender gesture of affection.’
William and Kate’s picture was very personal, festive and intimate
In 2023, the Waleses went classic and minimalist, posing up a storm on a photography set.
They shared the monochrome image of them alongside each other, but it felt rather less intimate in comparison to the one they shared this year.
And in 2022, the couple shared a sweet image of them holding hands with their children. However, William and Kate were the furthest point from each other, with Louis, George and Charlotte in-between them.
Similarly, the Waleses’ appearance at the Royal Albert Hall as they attended the Festival of Remembrance in November showed a different side to them; warm as ever, but protective of each other as well.
Footage showed Prince William lightly and lovingly clasping at Princess Kate’s upper waist and back as they were guided into the renowned London music hall.
They shook hands with officials, as the Princess of Wales lovingly and gently rubbed William’s lower back.
Body language expert Judi James told MailOnline at the time that it indicated the royal couple ‘couldn’t keep their hands off each other’ and they will be ‘far more open about showing the strength of their love’ in the future.
‘For a couple that usually limits their touch rituals or PDAs to one or two per appearance, this brief arrival walk to greet their hosts contained an ongoing volley of affectionate, loving and mutually protective touches, glances and truncated hugs,’ she said.
‘The cliché “They couldn’t keep their hands off each other” really does apply here and this behaviour between the couple answers a question that has been hanging since the very romantic, openly loving video they released to update on Kate’s health.’
Prince William, George, Charlotte, Louis and Kate during the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024 – the last time the family were seen
She added: ‘This glimpse already suggests an upgrade in their PDAs, which in turn should suggest they will now be far more open about showing the strength of their love after keeping their emotions rather under wraps in a bid to avoid the kind of attention William’s mother Princess Diana suffered from.’
Ms James also revealed that Prince William’s rush to join the princess’s side as they mutually placed their hands on each others waists, stepping closer to one another showed ‘mutual support, protection and affection’.
The body language expert continued: ‘He seems to glance at her face lovingly and when her arm drops he places his own around her as they stand with their heads close.
‘This is followed by two more hands placed on Kate’s back, with an almost endless ritual of PDAs.’
However, Kate and William haven’t just shown their love for each other through physical touch but also raw emotion at public events.
At the same Festival of Remembrance, the duo shared an intimate moment after a hymn from their wedding was played at the festival.
They appeared visibly moved during a rendition of Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.
An official announcement about the music for the royal wedding stated that all three hymns were chosen ‘because they are favourites of the Couple’.
Similar scenes were seen when Kate attended Trooping the Colour in June, which marked her first public appearance in around six months.
She mustered up the strength to join the rest of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The Princess of Wales could not hide the sheer love and joy she had for her husband, who has remained her stable rock through the challenging times she’s faced.
She rode in a carriage with her children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – but was later reunited with William.
The pair then shared a sweet moment when Kate looked over at her husband with a radiant smile.
The couple gazed at each other affectionately while their three children stood in front of them for the flypast.
Body language expert Judi James also commented on the special ‘look of love’ moment they shared earlier this year.
She told MailOnline: ‘The most touching mutual reward signal came from William and Kate though when their eyes finally met.
‘William’s eye-crinkling and the puckered muscles around his lips showed his inner pride and possible relief to have his beautiful wife standing beside him again, while Kate, who had relaxed visibly by this stage, pinged back a wide, dimpled and very loving smile.’
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