Kate Middleton and Prince William attend mental fitness workshop on Oct. 12, 2023.Photo:Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images
The moment was reminiscent of whenPrince Harryhelped his wife,Meghan Markle, during their 2019visit to Morocco,lifting up her ponytailas she was gifted a necklace.
Kate Middleton and Prince William join a mental fitness workshop on Oct. 12, 2023.SUZANNE PLUNKETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
SUZANNE PLUNKETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Prince William and Princess Kate, who met as college students at the University of St. Andrews and married in April 2011, typically refrain from public displays of affection during royal engagements, likely to keep the focus on the cause they’re highlighting.
Royal etiquette expert Myka Meier, founder and director of Beaumont Etiquette,previously told PEOPLEthat there are no official rules on royal couples exchanging romantic gestures in public — it’s at their own discretion.
“Senior members of the royal family would likely not be told how to interact or when they can or can not show PDA and would be trusted to use their better judgment as to when it’s appropriate,” Meier explained. “The royals often adjust PDA to mirror the formality of the event they are attending. At a somber or more formal event, we are less likely to see PDA than at a casual event where it would be deemed more fitting.”
The Prince and Princess of Walesexchanged a rare public kissearlier this year when William played in a charity polo game, reflecting the laidback atmosphere of the outing. But even at more formal events, they have been known to sneak in some displays of affection, like when Kate tapped her husband’s butt — both on thered carpet at the BAFTAsand at thecoronation celebration in Scotland!
Kate Middleton and Prince William kiss at a charity polo game on July 6, 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Despite Prince William’s sweet gesture, the competition was fierce between the husband and wife at the sporty outing. Both William and Kate tried their hand at goalball, a Paralympic sport for the visually impaired where all the players wear eyeshades or blindfolds. Tactile lines are used for players to feel where they are and the ball has an internal bell allowing the players to hear where it is. Sporting black-out goggles, Prince William and Princess Kate took turns participating in a penalty shout-out.
Tim Lawler, the chief executive of SportsAid, told PEOPLE exclusively, “The prince shot and the goalie saved it, but the princess took a shot and she scored, so bragging rights to the princess!”
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Kate Middleton plays goalball on Oct. 12, 2023.Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Champion netball player Ama Agbeze, who was on Kate’s team at the event, tells PEOPLE, “We won both times! I think they are really competitive so they both want to be the best and win, a little healthy competition is a good thing.”
The couple also played netball, practicing their focus with various external pressures such as performing with crowd noise. And again, Kate’s team secured the victory.
While Prince William has come out on top in several face-offs with Princess Kate, like acharity sailing competitionorfoot races, he also knows how to lose to his wife. Kate is said to bebetter at tennis, and she is a pro at anything that involves cooking or baking. When the couple learned how to roll dough balls at a bakery in 2020,Kate’s creations were deemed the winner— to which William replied knowingly, “The usual story.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton play netball on Oct. 12, 2023.Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool/Getty Images
source: people.com
