Touching moment 90-year-old royal superfan pecks the Duchess of Cambridge’s hand

This is the heartwarming moment an elderly man planted a gentle kiss on the Duchess of Cambridge’s hand during a visit to South Wales today.

Kate, 38, was in Mumbles, near Swansea, alongside her husband Prince William, 37, for a busy day of engagements which saw them meet schoolchildren, visit the Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot and tour a lifeboat station.

With hundreds of well-wishers lining the neighbourhood’s pier hoping to get a glimpse of the royal couple, the mother-of-three made a beeline for 90-year-old Harvey Bentley, from Swansea. 

Harvey, who was in a wheelchair pushed by his son-in-law Mike Sutton-Smith, chatted with the duchess before taking her hand and placing a delicate kiss on the back of it.

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Kate, 38, meets Harvey Bentley, from Swansea, when in Mumbles. He chatted with the duchess before taking her hand and placing a delicate kiss on the back of it.

Crouching down to chat to him, Kate said: ‘I hope you’re keeping warm enough. You’ve wrapped up well? It’s that chilly wind.

‘Thank you for coming to say hello to us. Very nice to meet you. I’ll get William to come and say hello.’

True to her word, the Duke then came over for a chat following Harvey and Kate’s sweet moment together.

Kate (pictured) was in Mumbles, near Swansea, alongside her husband Prince William, 37, for a busy day of engagements which saw them meet schoolchildren, visit the Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot and tour a lifeboat station

The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Harvey as she leaves the RNLI Mumbles Lifeboat Station

‘They are the nicest people you could meet,’ said Harvey, a retired motor mechanic.

‘William told Harvey he didn’t look a day over 60!’ said Mike. ‘This is the most exciting day Harvey has had in many years. We are so impressed with them, they are incredible.’

There is no official protocol for members of the public for greeting the royals, but tradition dictates that a curtsy or bow is appropriate, while shaking hands is also acceptable. 

Kate and William are known to shun pomp and pageantry, and the Duchess will no doubt have taken the kiss on the hand in her stride. 

Continuing a recent high street style streak, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a £349 navy coat by Hobbs over a vibrant red dress from Zara for the outing. William was smart-casual in chinos, a shirt, jumper and blazer.    

Good spirits! The Duchess of Cambridge placed an affectionate hand on her husband Prince William’s shoulder as they arrived in South Wales, today

Well-wishers braved the chilly seaside temperatures to welcome the couple to Mumbles, which overlooks Swansea Bay. 

On their arrival, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge beamed and waved to the gathered crowds as they made their way towards the RNLI’s Mumbles Lifeboat Station.

At one point, in a rare show of public affection, Kate placed a hand on her husband’s arm as they strolled along the boardwalk. The subtle gesture was later returned by William, who gently guided his wife along.

The look of love: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge share  a smile as they walk along Mumbles Pier today