As a rule, the royal couples aren't big on PDA, mainly because they follow the example set by Queen Elizabeth, who was sparing with the affection she showed to her late husband, Prince Philip, when they were out and about together. Though the younger generation can be a bit more free with their guidelines around showing the love, it's still pretty rare that Kate Middleton and Prince William are caught getting cozy on camera — but that just means that when it happens, it feels extra special.
Aside from their wedding day, we basically never see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the lips in public, though they have been known to put their arms around each other or hold hands from time to time. And after William and Kate were spotted embracing at the 2021 Earthshot Prize Awards, it really got us thinking about all the other adorable PDA moments the Cambridges have shared over the years.
From their dating years to today, these pictures will always be too cute. And as their love story continues, we know there will be even more to enjoy in the future.
The Earthshot Prize Awards
One of the most recent — and stunning — examples of Kate and William's PDA happened in October 2021 at the first annual Earthshot Prize Awards. Royal photographer Chris Jackson caught a private moment between the couple, as Kate had her arm on William's back. Too sweet.
Their 10th Anniversary Photos
William and Kate celebrated a decade of marriage in April 2021, and they didn't let the moment pass without some seriously beautiful photos. In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Chris Floyd, the photographer behind the anniversary shots, revealed that the two appeared super comfortable with each other and "just like any married couple."
"[They] seemed to just love being very happy in each other's company. It was that straightforward," Chris said.
All Hugs
William was caught with his arm around Kate when they attended a Heads Together event ahead of the London Marathon in 2017. It looks like it was a chilly day, so we wouldn't blame them if they needed to huddle together to keep warm while they were outside.
A Celebratory Smooch
Taking it back to 2011 — the year William and Kate got married, of course — we see William as his team won a charity tournament at a racquet and polo club. And considering the fact that he just scored a victory, is it any surprise that he earned a kiss from his wife, even with the cameras around?
A Little Hand Holding
Boy, did these two look serious as they took in some swimming while visiting Glasgow, Scotland, in 2014. Though they both seemed pretty focused on the event happening in front of them, they also took the opportunity to sneak in a little affection.
Bringing Their Daughter Home
Speaking of hand holding, if there was ever an occasion when PDA is appropriate, it might be this one. Here are William and Kate hand-in-hand on the steps of the famous Lindo Wing at London's St. Mary's Hospital as they introduced Princess Charlotte to the world. Of course, at this point, we had no idea what her name would be yet!
Happy Together
In early 2020, William and Kate took a tour of Ireland that made those of us at home wish we could visit and follow their exact itinerary. Along the way, they stopped to pose for a sweet photo together with their arms around each other as they took in the scenery — a rarity for this royal couple.
Back to the Beginning
It's hard to believe that this photo is 15 years old! It was captured in 2006, when William and Kate were still dating — they hadn't even gotten engaged yet. In those early days of their relationship, PDA was a bit easier to come by.
The Wedding Kiss
Perhaps William and Kate's most famous PDA moment would have to be their wedding day. They famously followed tradition set by Princess Diana and Prince Charles and shared a super romantic kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony, which millions of eyes bore witness to.
The Engagement Announcement
It's no surprise that William and Kate also exhibited a little PDA the day that they announced their engagement. The couple was arm in arm as they shared the news publicly — and as Kate showed off the sapphire ring she inherited from Diana. So gorgeous!
Their Engagement Photos
While we're on the topic of William and Kate's engagement, here's one of the photos from their engagement photo shoot that we know we'll never forget. It's such a romantic shot, with the two of them all cuddled up in each other's arms. And of course, that impressive ring is front and center.
A Sweet Side Hug
Is it just us, or do sporting events put William and Kate particularly in the mood for a little PDA? Here, they were at a boat race just a few months after their 2011 wedding, looking so happy to be together as they shared a hug. Sure, it's just a side hug, but we'll take what we can get.
The Honeymooners
Given that the honeymoon is one of the most romantic times a couple will share, of course William and Kate were seen holding hands as they were about to leave for theirs. In this photo, which was taken the morning after their wedding in April 2011, they were bound for some time together in the Seychelles.
An Olympic Embrace
When your team wins at the Olympics, a hug to celebrate is definitely in order. William and Kate were taking in the 2012 London Summer Games when the men's team won the gold for sprint track cycling, setting a new world record all at the same time.
St. Patrick's Day Love
The royals tend to go big when it comes to St. Patrick's Day, so of course Kate was all decked out in green (complete with a matching hat) for the occasion. And as she and William attended a parade, he sweetly had his arm around his wife. So cute!
A Little Leg Action
During a 2016 visit to Canada, Kate wasn't shy at all about showing her husband some love. While seated next to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an event, Kate had her hand on William's leg — a super rare moment to witness. If the cameras hadn't been there, would we have even believed this happened?
Long-Distance Love
OK, how cute is this? In this picture from 2014, Kate took a break from wrangling a tiny Prince George to blow a kiss to William while he was competing in a polo match. They don't have to be in touching distance to show each other a little love!
