Princess Kate and Prince William's most tactile PDA moments caught on camera during public engagements


The Prince and Princess of Wales are so loved up after 15 years of marriage - and are no strangers to a sweet PDA moment


Prince William and Kate Middleton looking at each other© Chris Jackson
HELLO!
Ainhoa BarcelonaRoyal Managing Editor
Sharnaz ShahidDeputy Online Editor
Updated: April 28, 2026

While public displays of affection have historically been an unspoken no-no in royal protocol, there have been a few moments when Prince William and Kate have indulged in a bit of PDA. 

Since the Wales' public displays of affection are more limited, lots of people have asked: 'Do William and Kate ever hold hands in public?' Yes, they do!

There have been plenty of sweet moments between the couple captured on camera, including a number of gorgeous black and white images of the couple taken backstage by royal photographer Chris Jackson at the Earthshot Prize Awards in October 2021.

Take a look at some of our favourite photos of William and Kate...

Prince William and attend a 'Toast Your Own Marshmallow' stall during a visit to Cardiff Castle© Getty
Prince William and attend a 'Toast Your Own Marshmallow' stall during a visit to Cardiff Castle

In December 2020, during their royal train tour of the UK, William was spotted gently touching his wife's back as they toasted marshmallows together at a Christmas market stall at Cardiff Castle.

Prince William and Kate Middleton walking together, smiling and conversing.

William and Kate were spotted gazing into one another's eyes as they walked down the pier at The Mumbles in South Wales in February 2020. It was just a couple of weeks before Valentine's Day, and the Princess even wore a heart-printed Beulah London scarf for the occasion.

Prince William waves as he walks beside Kate Middleton, both dressed formally.© Photo: Getty Images

William had his arm subtly tucked behind his wife's waist during their visit to Blackpool in March 2019. They were also spotted holding hands, walking across the lawn at Kensington Palace to board a helicopter on the way to their engagement. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton shake hands with fans at an event.© Photo: Getty Images

William and Kate were caught sharing a sweet moment during a walkabout in Leicester in October 2018. The couple were seen holding hands and laughing as they chatted to locals, while Kate shot her husband loving glances. 

Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their daughter walk on a path with a crowd watching.© Photo: Getty Images

In December 2017, the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived hand-in-hand at the traditional Christmas church service in Sandringham. They joined Prince Harry and Meghan for the highly anticipated arrival, which marked the former actress' first time joining the royal family for the annual occasion.

A woman in a white lace dress and hat stands close to a man in a black suit and top hat.

Kate placed her hand on Prince William's lower back as they made their way through the crowd at the 2017 Royal Ascot.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, sit together at an event.

Prince William and Kate's togetherness was discreetly on show as the Princess placed her hand on her husband's leg at an official welcoming ceremony on day one of their 2016 royal tour of Canada. Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in formal attire, sits beside a woman in a red dress and hat, both looking at a document.

Before all eyes were on bride Princess Eugenie and her handsome groom Jack Brooksbank, Prince William and Kate held hands in a very rare public display of affection.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Kate Middleton sit together at an event, both wearing sunglasses.© Photo: Getty Images

During the men's final at Wimbledon, Kate gently stroked her husband's cheek as they watched Roger Federer's match from the royal box. 

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, stands with Kate Middleton, both smiling, in military and formal attire.

Just a month before welcoming their third child together, Prince Louis, Prince William made sure his heavily pregnant wife was well cared for. 

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, smiling and hugging a woman in a black jacket.© Photo: Getty Images

The royals enjoyed a cuddle on Prince Edward Island, after taking part in a dragon boat race at Dalvay-By-the-Sea during their 2011 royal tour of Canada.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, sits with three other individuals at an event.© Photo: Getty Images

The British royals sweetly clasped hands as they attentively watched a swimming competition at the Tollcross Swimming Centre during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Man and woman sharing a kiss on stage, holding a gift, with another man clapping behind them.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis' parents shared a rare, public kiss in Santa Barbara, California during their 2012 visit to the US. Kate congratulated her husband with a peck on the cheek after he played in the Audi Polo Challenge. Photo: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images.

A woman with long hair in a striped shirt and jeans covers her mouth, standing next to two men.© Photo: Getty Images

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis' parents shared a rare, public kiss in Santa Barbara, California during their 2012 visit to the US. Kate congratulated her husband with a peck on the cheek after he played in the Audi Polo Challenge. 

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, hugs a woman in a white shirt, both smiling.© Photo: Getty Images

The Prince could not contain his excitement at the London 2012 Summer Games as he celebrated a win, hugging his wife in the stands.

Prince William and Kate Middleton kissing on a balcony with two young girls.

The kiss seen around the world! The newly minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sealed their marriage with a public kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, following their 2011 royal wedding. Photo: James Devaney/FilmMagic.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife walk hand-in-hand in front of a building.© Photo: Getty Images

The newlyweds strolled the grounds of Buckingham Palace hand-in-hand one day after their highly anticipated royal wedding, before jetting off on their honeymoon. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton looking at each other - they're joined by Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte© Chris Jackson
The pair shared several moments from the day

At the 2024 Trooping the Colour, Kate made her highly anticipated, triumphant return to the public eye following her cancer diagnosis and preventative chemotherapy treatment. As the royal family gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast, William and Kate were caught sharing a deeply intimate and reassuring look.  

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, with their dog 'Orla', attend the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup© Getty Images
William and Kate were gifted Orla in 2020 after their previous dog died

The 2022 Royal Charity Polo Cup at Guards Polo Club was a goldmine for royal watchers. The couple was in incredibly high spirits, looking like teenagers in love! After the match, Kate threw her arms out to welcome William into a big hug, and he planted a sweet kiss on her cheek. But the best moment came as they walked away from the crowds: they were photographed strolling off with their arms wrapped tightly around each other's waists, accompanied by their beautiful black cocker spaniel, Orla.

Prince William kisses Kate at a polo match© Getty
Prince William kisses Kate at a polo match

Polo matches have historically been the one place where royals feel comfortable showing a bit of affection (a tradition started by King Charles and Princess Diana), and William and Kate kept that tradition alive in 2023. After William competed in the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup at the Guards Polo Club, Kate was waiting on the sidelines to present the trophy.

Prince William walking with Kate Middleton© Dave J Hogan
The Prince and Princess of Wales at the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023

While the Prince and Princess of Wales usually keep their red carpet appearances strictly professional, fans were delighted when Kate let her guard down at the 2023 EE BAFTA Film Awards. As the couple walked the red carpet outside London’s Royal Festival Hall, Kate was caught on camera leaning in to whisper to her husband before giving him a cheeky, affectionate tap on the behind

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