Although Prince William and Kate Middleton keep most of their appearances strictly professional, we occasionally witness some light flirting or small displays of public affection between the husband-and-wife duo. There was the coronation butt tap, the sweet cheek kiss at a 2023 charity polo match, and now, the couple's latest PDA moment, which occurred during World Mental Health Day — and was caught on camera by a fan.
In a new video posted to a fan's Instagram account, the Prince and Princess of Wales were captured having a conversation with someone at a mental fitness workshop hosted by the charity SportsAid last week. As they were speaking, Will noticed something on Kate's face and leaned over to remove whatever it was. She then also reaches up to pluck it out of the way before giggling. The fan filming the interaction even shared an audible "awe!" at the exchange.
Royal etiquette expert Myka Meier told People that although PDA is not prohibited, royals typically only display affection when they're in appropriate settings.
"Senior members of the royal family would likely not be told how to interact or when they can or can not show PDA and would be trusted to use their better judgment as to when it's appropriate," she told the outlet. "The royals often adjust PDA to mirror the formality of the event they are attending. At a somber or more formal event, we are less likely to see PDA than at a casual event where it would be deemed more fitting."
During the event, the duo participated in some sports drills to show off their athleticism. According to People, the two went toe-to-toe in a game of goalball (a paralympic sport for the visually impaired) and netball with Kate's team winning both games. Kate is known for her competitive edge and often shows off her skills by being hands-on during events. Earlier this month, the princess joined a game of rugby during the Inclusivity Day at Allam Sports Centre in England. For that particular event, she traded in her pantsuits and pointed-toe pumps for an athleisure look that included navy blue joggers and a matching polo.