Prince William and Princess Kate marked Valentine's Day with an intimate photograph shared on social media Friday, a rare public display of affection for the royal couple. The image, posted on their official account, shows William kissing Kate on the cheek while she laughs, accompanied by a simple red heart emoji.
The photo, originally released in September 2024, was part of a video announcing that Kate had completed chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis earlier that year. Filmed in Norfolk by cinematographer Will Warr, the footage captured the couple spending time outdoors with their children-Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6-at their country home, Anmer Hall.
The couple's decision to publicly acknowledge Valentine's Day in this way is considered a first for the Prince and Princess of Wales. Traditionally, the pair have kept their interactions formal in public, aligning with royal protocol. However, royal etiquette expert Myka Meier has previously stated, "There is no actual etiquette or royal protocol that says the couple must refrain from PDA." Rather, their past restraint has been linked to their roles as "working representatives of the British monarchy," she noted.
Over the past year, Kate and William have become more open in their public expressions of affection. In June 2024, Kate marked William's birthday with a social media post stating, "We all love you so much!" The Prince reciprocated in January with a heartfelt message for Kate's 43rd birthday: "To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you've shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. We love you."
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward said their increasing openness reflects their shared experience navigating Kate's illness. "William must feel so fortunate that Kate has come through this that he wants to tell the world about that love," Seward told People. "It shows the intimacy of them sharing that journey together."
Kate revealed in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer, calling her husband a "great source of comfort and reassurance" throughout her treatment. In January, she announced she was in remission. The past year has been described as "brutal" for the couple, with Kate prioritizing time with her family. "For the princess, family-her husband and children-are more important than anything else," a close royal insider said.
The royal couple, who have been together for more than two decades, first met as students at the University of St. Andrews in the early 2000s. William proposed during a vacation in Kenya in 2010, and they married the following year in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey, watched by millions worldwide. They will celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary in April.
