It was simple, sweet and wholly unexpected for a couple who’ve rarely shown, let alone highlighted, public displays of affection. But on February 14, Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton did something different: They posted a photograph showing him planting a kiss on her smiling face on their official Instagram page to mark Valentine’s Day, complete with a red heart emoji. More than 23 years after meeting as college students in Scotland — and nearly 14 years after their royal wedding — Britain’s future king and queen are in a new era.
“William and Kate are being more transparent with the public. Their relationship isn’t as off-limits as it once was. Their social media post proves they’re opening up more to the world,” a royal source exclusively tells Life & Style, explaining that the shift is rooted in a growing openness “with each other.”
Following what William, 42, has admitted was a “brutal” year — both Kate, 43, and his father, King Charles III, 76, were diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 — they’ve emerged “stronger and closer and thankful for every second they have together,” reveals the source. Learning that Kate is now in remission, which she announced publicly in January, has marked “a new beginning” for the couple, adds the source. “They’ll never take each other for granted again.”
A MUTUAL RESPECT
Last year, the Princess of Wales said she was grateful to have “William by my side” during her health crisis. He stepped back from his royal engagements and stepped up as a father, taking on an even bigger role with children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. “Kate admires how he supported her and held down the fort at home while she fought for her life,” says the source. William, too, was changed by what he witnessed. “He’s always admired her strength,” says the source, “but he also saw a side of Kate, her resourcefulness and grit, only he knows.”
They’ve made some meaningful decisions in recent months. “They’re rewriting their marriage rules. No. 1 is putting their family first, even over the monarchy,” shares the source, explaining it’s why they skipped the BAFTAs on February 16 — William is president of the U.K. awards show’s parent organization — and instead vacationed with their kids. “Another is losing the armor they hide behind, to be more spontaneous and affectionate,” adds the source. “And they’ve vowed to no longer keep secrets from one another, because William’s tendency to do that — including with how he handled the Rose Hanbury situation — definitely affected their relationship.”
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BRIGHTER DAYS
That scandal was hard on the royals. They publicly stayed silent as rumors claiming William had an affair swirled following a 2019 story in the U.K.’s Sun newspaper alleging Kate had a mysterious falling out with Rose. The 40-year-old Marchioness of Cholmondeley lives near the Waleses’ country estate, Anmer Hall, with her marquis husband, David Rocksavage, 64, and when speculation reemerged in March 2024, Rose’s lawyers told Business Insider the rumors were “completely false.” Says the source: “That’s all behind them now.”
In January, Kate took to Instagram to let her 16.8M followers know she’s feeling like “there is much to look forward to” this year. She and William “couldn’t be happier,” adds the source. “They really appear to be more in love than ever before.”