Princess of the PDA! How formal Kate can’t resist getting close to Prince William in public – and even gave him a cheeky slap on the bottom
While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were renowned for their public displays of affection (PDA) – always showing up in concert with royal engagements – the Prince and Princess of Wales have tended to take a more formal approach.
The couple mainly follows the example of Queen Elizabeth who did not hold hands with her husband Prince Philip in public.
But that’s not to say Kate Middleton doesn’t enjoy the occasional spontaneous PDA with Prince William.
Kate was spotted laying a reassuring hand on her husband’s back, putting her hand on his knee and even giving him a cheeky slap on the backside – much to the delight of the couple’s fans.
Kate and William hugged as they celebrated the London 2012 Olympics
The future Queen, 41, sent social media into a frenzy when she appeared to give husband Prince William, 40, a light pat on the bottom as they walked the BAFTA red carpet in February of this year.
And one of the couple’s most touching photos shows them hugging at the London Olympic Park velodrome in 2011 as cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and his teammates raced towards a gold medal.
Later, William joked he was worried they’d be caught on ‘kiss cam’ at the stadium, saying: ‘I was absolutely dreading them coming to show me and my wife. It would have been very embarrassing.
Meanwhile, Kate is known for her subtle yet meaningful gestures of affection that show support for her husband during public engagements, whether it’s a light touch of the hand or a reassuring pat on the back. .
From the BAFTAs to the Bahamas, the Royals section of the Mail reveals all the times Kate couldn’t resist being the princess of PDA.
Kate crinkled up for a kiss to congratulate William when his team won the Foundation Polo Challenge at the Santa Barbara Racquet and Polo Club in July 2011.
Walking towards a boat during the Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta in March 2022, Kate gently pats William’s back
The Princess of Wales kept her hand on her husband’s leg when they attended a game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at Boston’s TD Garden during their three-day tour last year.
As the couple arrived at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Kate Middleton, 41, and the prince appeared to exchange a few words, before leaning over and appearing to nudge him behind (pictured right)
It had been a tough few days in Boston with the Sussexes opting to release their Netflix trailers alongside William and Kate’s visit to the US, but the pair stuck together with Kate laying her hand on their backs. of William at the Earthshot Prize in 2022.
Kate and William sharing a joke as Kate touches his wrist in the Bahamas in March 2022
Kate is seen tenderly brushing something off William’s face in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on day 13 of Wimbledon in 2017
Kate holds William’s hand at the start of the Calgary Stampede parade on day nine of their tour of Canada in 2011
In this intimate photo, photographer Chris Jackson captures a tender moment with Kate’s hand touching Prince William’s back at the inaugural Earthshot Prize Awards in 2021
The soft touch of Kate’s fingertips on William’s hand as they attended a reception hosted by the Governor General of the Bahamas during their Caribbean tour in Nassau, Bahamas 2022
Kate holds William’s hand as they watch the swimming at the Tollcross Swimming Center during the 20th Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014
Kate’s touch on William’s shoulder is captured by royal photographer Max Mumby in this sweet photograph at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor in 2022
Kate chatting with one of the jockeys at Ascot while laying her hand on William in 2017
The Caribbean tour was a real glimpse into the Prince and Princess of Wales’ ten-year marriage and Kate definitely seemed relaxed and happy to show her feelings for her husband.
Prince William plays a teddy bear game as Kate stands next to him putting her hand to the side during their visit to Barry Island, home of Gavin and Stacey, in August 2020
