For more than twenty years, royal fans have been captivated by the fairytale romance between Prince William and Princess Kate.
The couple first locked eyes in 2001 when they were students studying at St Andrews in Scotland. Like many great love stories, they started out as friends after meeting at St Salvator's hall of residence, but soon realised they had the hots for each other and eventually made their relationship official in 2003.
And as the world watched their romance blossom, William and Kate continued to keep their public displays of affection to a minimum.
© InstagramHowever, after two decades of love, the couple appear to have become less reserved when it comes to expressing their love to onlookers.
Recent PDA
Most recently, royal fans were left swooning after the Prince and Princess of Wales were pictured sharing a particularly tender moment after Kate completed the Three Peaks Challenge.
When the future Queen, who took on the mega hike to raise money for charity, was greeted at the end by her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, William, and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
As her family congratulated her with wide smiles and big hugs, her husband's heartfelt hug left fans particularly emotional.
© Getty ImagesSpeaking to the Daily Mail, body language expert Judi James said the photo offered a "glimpse" into "the honest intensity of their feelings for each other", and the genuine love they share."
Their rituals suggest there's been no real change in the intensity of their love for one another; what's happened is they have finally felt safe enough to trust enough (not each other but the public and the press) to show it. It's a hug that suggests all inhibitions are being jettisoned as the desire to greet and cherish takes over."
"And for the Waleses, is it yet another sign that the latest chapter of their marriage, the one where they feel free to show their levels of mutual love and adoration by more tactile behaviours in public, is still very much a part of their personal and generational royal brand now."
© Getty ImagesThe Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip model
The hug was particularly special since Kate's hike was in aid of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which helped care for her during her own journey with the illness.
Before Kate's cancer diagnosis, the couple had largely kept their affectionate moments private, perhaps modelling their relationship on William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth's marriage to Prince Phillip.
© UK Press via Getty ImagesIn fact, it was William's fear of how his mother Prince Diana was treated that made him apprehensive about his wife's fate, the expert explained.
Since then, however, the pair have been spotted sharing a number of cosy moments. At the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor Great Park earlier this month, William celebrated his win by planting a kiss on his wife's cheek. Kate responded by wrapping her arms around her husband's waist.As the years have passed, William has learned to relax and embrace the joys of their treasured romance.
