Prince William has been more publicly affectionate toward Kate Middleton over the past year as they battled her cancer diagnosis together.
Prince William’s kiss left Kate Middleton swooning in a rare social media PDA to honor Valentine’s Day. The Prince of Wales gave his wife a heartwarming smooch, proving that his love for Kate extends far beyond Feb. 14. William’s sweet gesture wasn’t just a Valentine’s Day tribute—it was a reminder that his affection for Kate is a year-round celebration of love.
Prince William wasn’t afraid to pack on the PDA with his wife, Kate Middleton, in a rare social media post. The intimate snapshot captured the couple’s deep love and connection, and how many hurdles they have overcome in the past year as a family.
The moment was captured from a video reel the couple first shared to Instagram on Sept. 9, 2024. In the adorable snapshot, William kisses a swooning Kate on the cheek while she giggles. The original video clip was shot by Will Warr in Norfolk, where Kate and William reside in their country home Anmer Hall with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Since Kate Middleton’s cancer battle, the couple have been more publicly affectionate with one another. They have been married since 2011.
William last penned a declaration of love for his wife on her 43rd birthday in January. He 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. W.”
In June, Kate shared a photo of William jumping over a dune alongside Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. She wrote, “Happy birthday Papa, we all love you so much! Cx.”
The British royal family is known for maintaining a certain level of formality and decorum in public, which extends to their interactions with one another. Public displays of affection are rare, as the royals are expected to maintain a dignified presence.
Modern royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have often shared public moments of affection. These instances are carefully timed and often occur on special occasions.
However, Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana was known for breaking many of the traditional rules that governed the royal family, including the unwritten rule of PDA. Unlike her predecessors, Diana was much more publicly affectionate with then-Prince Charles and her sons, William and Harry.
Diana’s openness changed the way the public viewed the royal family. Her decisions greatly influenced her sons, who balance PDA with the expectations of the crown.
