William and Kate’s second honeymoon era: Royal expert reveals how Kate’s cancer diagnosis has forged a new level of ‘closeness’ between the couple – after their most PDA-packed year to date 

From meeting as students at St Andrews University in 2001 to becoming proud parents to three children, royal fans have delighted in the Prince and Princess of Wales’s ‘fairytale’ love story.

That said, in the early years of their marriage the couple seemed to model themselves on the Queen and Prince Philip who were always formal in public and were rarely seen holding hands or displaying affection.

Fast forward to the present day, however, and the couple are much more relaxed about public displays of affection (PDA).

Indeed, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, they look like they’re in a ‘second honeymoon era’ following a tumultuous period for the couple.

From flirty glances to coy smiles and gentle touches, there have been numerous ‘public signs of true love in recent months’ forged by a ‘closeness that comes with having to face, together with their young family, the malign threat of cancer,’ Mr Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail.

Last year, royal fans were left swooning when the couple publicly marked Valentine’s Day for the first time by taking to X and Instagram to post an adorable picture of the couple in the grounds of the Sandringham Estate in the summer of 2024.

Showcasing the pair’s enduring love, the photo was set against a stunning woodland backdrop and was a still taken from Kate’s deeply emotive video in which she announced she had completed her chemotherapy treatment that September.

‘It clearly mirrored the depths of their mutual affection,’ Mr Fitzwilliams added.

From flirty glances to coy smiles and gentle touches, their PDA-packed relationship has been forged by a ‘closeness that comes with having to face, together with their young family, the malign threat of cancer,’ said Richard Fitzwilliams

He also added that the powerful image will no doubt have left royal fans eagerly anticipating what this year’s romantic holiday will bring – as the prince and princess soon approach 15 years of marriage. 

‘To judge by their body language during their two-day trip to Scotland, we should be expecting something special for Valentine’s Day this year,’ he remarked.

Indeed, when the Prince and Princess of Wales, also the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, travelled north of the Border in January for a two-day engagement, the pair snuck in numerous subtle romantic moments, from gentle touches to loving looks. 

‘They were very flirty and touchy-feely,’ observed Mr Fitzwilliams.  

In once instance, William – ever the gentleman – helped his wife come onto the ice at the National Curling Academy in Stirling while they tried their hand at the sport, carefully guiding her, and making sure she’s safe.

Though they’re known for their competitive streaks, both were pictured smiling profusely at the other’s efforts as they took part.

William started confidently, with the princess uttering words of support, saying: ‘You’re doing very well.’

Elsewhere, while Kate, 44, was undertaking a lesson in weaving tartan, her husband dutifully held her custom coat – designed by famed Savile Row tailor Chris Kerr – in the background, letting the princess take centre stage.

When the Prince and Princess of Wales, also the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, travelled north of the Border in January for a two-day engagement, the pair snuck in numerous subtle romantic moments, from gentle touches to loving looks

 In October, during a trip to Northern Ireland, Kate was photographed affectionately placing her hand on William’s back 

In April, the couple were captured looking lovingly at one another when they celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during a very special visit to Scotland’s Isle of Mull

And while chatting with well-wishers on a walkabout, the loved-up pair couldn’t keep their hands off one another, with William, 43, putting his arm around Kate to pose for a photo with a fan.

In October, the besotted couple delighted royal fans as they beamed at one another during a trip to Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, in a particularly tender scene during the day, Kate was photographed affectionately placing her hand on William’s back before the royal couple rode in a fire truck and watched trainee firefighters take part in drills.

Then, in November, William left royal fans swooning when he was captured delicately kissing his wife’s hand when they attended the Royal Variety Performance in London. 

Yet even earlier that year the pair looked more loved up than ever when they joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at the VE Day celebrations in London – placing their hands on one another’s backs in a supportive gesture. 

Meanwhile, just a month prior, the couple were captured looking lovingly at one another when they celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during a very special visit to Scotland’s Isle of Mull. 

In a mark of the momentous occasion, Kate and William also posted an incredibly romantic picture to their official Kensington Royal social media accounts which showcased the pair lovingly holding each other as they enjoyed a quiet moment at dusk in Tobermory.

And when the Prince and Princess made their first joint engagement in Wales for more than a year in February 2025, they were seen holding hands as they walked through Cardiff Central station.

Prior to Kate’s cancer diagnosis, William and Kate typically acknowledged the royal etiquette of avoiding overt signs of affection. However, there were rare glimpses, including the first time they shared a hug publicly while on a ski holiday in 2007

As cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and his teammates raced to a gold medal at the Velodrome during the London 2012 Olympic Games, the couple did not hide their delight – or indeed their affection for each other – while watching the action

Then, a decade later, the royal couple shared a particularly affectionate moment after William won a trophy at the Royal Charity Polo Cup. Mr Fitzwiliams told the Daily Mail that the couple are ‘deeply in love’

Offering a remarkable distinction from some of their previous shows of formality while in public, body language expert Judi James previously told the Daily Mail that it served as a ‘continuation of the love story narrative’ seen in Kate’s personal cancer video.

She added: ‘It looked like a one-off glimpse of how they behave behind the scenes of their more formal and less tactile public persona, but there were suggestions at this outing that they do intend the PDAs to continue.’

Prior to Kate’s cancer diagnosis, William and Kate typically acknowledged the royal etiquette of avoiding overt signs of affection. However, there is an understanding that the future King and Queen are moving away from such traditional view.

Mr Fitzwilliams explained: ‘There is a royal tradition that a certain formality has to be observed in public and, for the most part, William and Catherine do this.

‘The King and Queen today are from the same generation and their PDA moments are rare.’

However, he noted: ‘The Waleses are from a different generation. It is pivotal that they appeal to all ages, especially the young with their mix of the formal and informal.’

Indeed, while glimpses of their affectionate relationship were rare in the years that preceded Kate’s cancer diagnosis, they were certainly monumental in their impact.

From the first time they were publicly spotted hugging during a ski trip in 2007, to a celebratory hug spotted during a triumphant sporting moment at the London 2012 Olympic Games, royal fans delighted in seeing William and Kate’s tactile side. 

A decade later, the royal couple shared a particularly affectionate moment after William won a trophy at the Royal Charity Polo Cup.

At the end of the day, the pair were also seen walking with their arms affectionately wrapped around each other’s waists.

When royal biographer Gyles Brandreth watched the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a royal outing in 2012, he noticed that the couple showed ‘fleeting signs of mutual support’ that were subtle, yet powerful. 

Writing in the late Prince Philip’s biography, Mr Brandreth shared how William and Kate’s attention was ‘always on the people immediately in front of them’.

He added: ‘Not once did either of them play to the camera – or even acknowledge them,’ he continued. ‘Occasionally, Prince William put out a hand to touch his wife’s fingers or elbow or shoulder, and she reciprocated with a smile.

‘You would have only noticed these fleeting signals of mutual support if you had been on the lookout for them – which I was.’