Royals rarely show public displays of affection, but Kate Middleton flouted protocol with a subtle but sweet gesture to her husband, Prince William, on Sunday.
The Princess of Wales gave Prince William a quick slap on the bottom as they walked the red carpet at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, a move that “felt really natural” for the couple, says one expert.
Human behavior expert Susan Constantine told Fox News Digital that Kate and William looked “extremely happy” at the ceremony in London.
“I think it’s who they are behind closed doors,” Constantine said. “I’m kind of glad to see them opening up and being a little bit freer and showing that kind of affection.”
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Kate Middleton’s “Love Tap” to husband Prince William marked a new era in PDA for the couple. (Chris Jackson)
Vogue first shared a short clip of the “love tap” on Instagram, writing that the “royals really are just like us – a normal married couple who like to express a feeling sometimes.”
“I think what happened is that the two of them — behind the cameras and alone — are doing what they do all the time,” Constantine said. “I think she caught up at the moment and it was just an instant reaction to smack his butt.
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“There was no kind of performance. They didn’t do it to play in front of an audience. They really had a moment between the two. And yes, there were a lot of things going on around it, but they felt so comfortable in that environment, and it didn’t prevent the intimacy the two had.
“That’s good because I see things differently with Harry and his wife,” she remarked. “There’s a lot of performance stuff going on there. In this case, I think it’s just the two of them who they are and genuinely loving each other, feeling free and open to showing affection for what they’ve been forbidden to do.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton laugh at the BAFTAs on the red carpet. (Chris Jackson)
Kensington Palace did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
“Kate and William look a lot less self-conscious with their PDAs now that they’ve moved up the royal pecking order,” body language expert Judi James told The Sun. “Kate’s butt also showed where some of the power might lie behind the scenes.”
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James also agreed that the couple “looked totally relaxed” on the red carpet. “They were using more eye contact than usual and their touching rituals had increased to create a hint of flirting,” she said.
“William and Kate’s tactile, playful demeanor may be a response to Harry’s comments about coolness and royal men marrying women who ‘fit the mold.’ This seems to be Kate showing that she shouldn’t fit into any mold with her Hollywood style glamor and very cheeky gesture towards her husband.”
Lipreader Sophia Martell told the Chron the Princess of Wales was simply reenacting something she had seen in the crowd a moment earlier.
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s amorous moment was ‘truly authentic’ (John Phillips)
Catherine, Princess of Wales and William, Prince of Wales compete in the BAFTAs. (Chris Jackson)
Martell claimed Kate told William, “That man slapped her on the bottom.” Intrigued by what his wife said, William appeared to lean forward to ask, “Did he?”
Middleton then reenacted the moment by tapping William on the butt. She then appeared to announce, “That was so funny.”
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Middleton wore a floor-length, one-shoulder white dress by the late British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, a dress she had previously worn to the 2019 awards show but styled slightly differently
She’s a longtime fan of the designer, who created with Gucci and Givenchy and was once made Commander of the British Empire for his leadership in fashion.
Kate Middleton paired her Alexander McQueen dress with long black opera gloves. (Chris Jackson)
Kate styled the dress with dramatic black opera gloves and gold Jimmy Choo pumps, which matched a pair of ornate Zara earrings.
She carried a black and silver clutch bag with matching gold statements while walking alongside her husband, who serves as president of the film and television academy.
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Her presence on Sunday marked her first appearance at the BAFTAs in two years and her debut as Prince and Princess of Wales following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.
The couple missed the 2021 ceremony due to the death of their grandfather, Prince Philip, who died the morning before the BAFTAs. Date restrictions prevented the couple from attending the 2022 show.