After everything that Kate Middleton and Prince William have been through over the past year, they’re not taking any of the time they spend together for granted. After the Prince and Princess of Wales have been a bit more open about showing their love in public, one royal expert says that they’re “happy” to engage in PDA – quite a change from what the royal family’s norms usually are about this kind of thing.
According to what Ingrid Seward told People, the couple seems happy to look affectionate in public now that Kate is able to work in a public-facing role because her cancer is officially in remission.
“They are happy for people to see them be touchy-feely,” she said. “They’re in a different phase of their life now. William is very protective and very proud of her for coming through this and carrying on with her life.”
Though the late Queen Elizabeth set the standard of not showing affection toward spouses in public, recently, Will and Kate have been breaking that rule. Not only have they been caught holding hands during their royal engagements, but in honor of Valentine’s Day this year, they also shared a photo of Will kissing Kate on the cheek on their official Instagram account.
Royal historian Amanda Foreman told People that it’s easy to sense the “protectiveness and partnership” that exists between the couple these days.
“And just in time, frankly – if there was ever a time when the country required stability, this is it,” she said. “The international stage is so unstable, it is rather extraordinary to see how both have risen to the occasion.”
Although Kate isn’t back to her former workload quite yet, she has been making more and more public appearances, which Elizabeth’s former press secretary, Ailsa Anderson, seems to believe is a good sign – especially after she appeared alongside William at this year’s Commonwealth Day service in a bold Catherine Walker coat dress.
“She looked the best I have seen her since she has been slowly resuming her royal duties,” Ailsa said. “Maybe she was reflecting on where she was this time last year, where she is now and the journey she has been on.”
