Prince William and Kate Middleton's ‘gentle PDA’ photos elevate couple to ‘relationship goals’

Prince William and Kate Middleton have shared some rare intimate photos with royal fans

William and Kate's 'gentle PDA' photos delight's fans
(Image credit: Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship has been called “goals” after the couple shared rare intimate photos from their recent Earthshot Awards. 


They may be one of the most iconic couples of all the time, but when it comes to public displays of affection, Prince William and Kate Middleton typically keep things pretty PG. 

As the future King and Queen Consort of England, the powerhouse pair are expected to maintain a highly professional image the moment they step out of Kensington Palace—which means hugs and kisses on camera are usually off limits. In fact, they’re rarely even photographed holding hands, preferring to express their unity by standing close to each other instead. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Londonderry in 2021

Kate Middleton and Prince William rarely hold hands in public 

(Image credit: Getty)

With so few examples of them showing affection in public, it’s no surprise that their most recent Instagram post has caused quite a stir with royal fans. The couple treated their 13m followers to a rare peek inside their relationship yesterday, sharing some intimate behind-the-scenes photos from the Earthshot Awards last Sunday. 

The event, which took place at Alexandra Palace in London, saw the Duchess support her husband for the inaugural prize-giving ceremony of his latest environmental venture. 

The dress code for the awards asked guests to reuse an outfit or wear an eco-conscious brand, in an effort to promote the importance of sustainable fashion. With Kate Middleton's dresses never failing to impress, fans were delighted to see her step out in the same lavender-blue gown she wore to her very first royal engagement back in 2011. 

Kate Middleton

(Image credit: Neil Mockford / Contributor / Getty Images)

Her gorgeous ensemble perfectly complemented Prince William's bold green velvet look, which had many folks comparing him to a Bond villain. The couple’s compatibility was reinforced by their recent Instagram post, which seems to solidify their enduring bond. 

In the first picture, the Duchess can be seen gazing lovingly into her husband’s eyes as they emerge from behind a curtain together. In another photo, she holds the small of William’s back, in a reassuring gesture as he navigates the high-profile event. It didn’t take long for fans to voice their appreciation for the sweet pictures, which were captured by royal photographer Chris Jackson. 

“This is amazing!! The picture of William holds so much energy and feelings Chris did an amazing job! But of course my favourite is Catherine and William 😍😍😍 love me some gentle PDA during her husbands night ❤️,” one person commented. 

“These two are relationship goals!” another fan wrote. 

The exciting post comes shortly after it was announced that the Queen has pulled out of a royal trip to Northern Ireland at the last minute. It's been reported that Her Majesty is suffering from a seasonal cold and is now recovering at Windsor Castle, after a busy few days of royal engagements. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.