They might not be a couple famed for their public displays of affection, but after the intensity of the Princess of Wales and the King's cancer battles, it has now been revealed that Kate Middleton and Prince William are, in fact, in a new phase of their lives.
In the couple's most recent appearances, the pair have made no secret of their affection for one another, from sharing a romantic photograph to mark Valentine's Day on Instagram to holding hands on a recent visit to Wales.
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The change in how they exhibit their love in public is very much a reflection of where they now are as a partnership. Speaking to People, royal biographer Ingrid Seward said: 'They are happy for people to see them be touchy-feely.'
'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,' Seward added.
The revelation follows a year of intense pressure for the Waleses. In February 2024, during surgery for a benign enlarged prostate, King Charles received a cancer diagnosis. One month later, the Princess of Wales announced her own cancer diagnosis.
Since announcing that she's in remission in January 2025, the Princess has been slowly returning to royal duties, most recently attending the Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day Parade in London on March 17.
The Princess was named honourary Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2022, a role she inherited from Prince William after King Charles III ascended to the throne.
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Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years’ worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.
