It’s not too often that I see lovey-dovey displays of affection between the Prince and Princess of Wales. Whether they’re visiting a charity or attending a holiday service with their children, I’ve noticed that they always maintain a certain formality. But then there are rare moments when I do catch a glimpse of their genuine bond—like when they locked eyes on the palace balcony at last year’s Trooping the Colour, or when they shared several PDA moments in Kate Middleton‘s viral video announcing the completion of her chemotherapy treatments. Fortunately for me, the royal couple recently treated fans to another sweet romantic pic, and it speaks volumes about their solid relationship.
In honor of Valentine’s Day today, the royal couple took to Instagram and posted a pic of themselves sitting together alone in the woods. Both are seated together on a picnic blanket and holding hands, and as Middleton giggles beside her husband, he kisses her on the cheek. In the caption, the pair kept it simple by adding a single red heart emoji.
From their close proximity and relaxed body language to Middleton’s genuine laughter, it’s clear that these two have strong chemistry and a genuine physical connection. So much so that they could pass for high schoolers who are head over heels for each other. In the comments, one fan said, “What a beautiful, natural image. Absolutely magical and thank you so much for sharing this with us.” Another wrote, “Such a beautiful picture! One of my all-time favorites of you two. Happy Valentine’s Day! I absolutely love your love for each other.”
If the shot looks familiar, that’s because it was previously released as part of Middleton’s emotional health update video. The footage included all three of their children (Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6) and it featured several moments of physical affection between the prince and princess.
For instance, just a few shots in, Prince William casually places his hand on his wife’s thigh as they sit on hay bales. And later in the video, the princess rests her head on her husband’s shoulder and holds his hand as she narrates, “The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”
It’s also worth noting that the royal couple have penned quite a few heartfelt and vulnerable tributes to each other on social media—another sure sign that their marriage is rock solid. In honor of Middleton’s 43rd birthday, William wrote, “To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you.”
