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Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s royal engagement in Northern Ireland on Oct. 14 created an unexpected viral moment.
Some fans are calling it a “hand-swat” after Kate tried to grab William’s hand from behind, while other people don’t understand what the fuss is all about. The video was posted on X, and it shows the Princess of Wales shuffling back-and-forth trying to find her place in the conversation circle while her husband shakes hands with someone.
At one point, she gently put her hand around his waist, and it looks like he might have pushed it away… it wasn’t aggressive, it seemed to have happened in the confusion of the moment. And, of course, the internet has a diverse range of thoughts.
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Prince William, Kate Middleton.
Danny Lawson – WPA Pool/Getty Images.
The original poster, who runs a Meghan Markle fan account, wrote in the caption, “They call it a happy marriage – but William’s body language says ‘get this woman away from me.’” Another social media user defended the couple, “Royal protocol says they are not to touch in public.” A third account landed somewhere in the middle of all of the fuss, adding, “No, it doesn’t. His body language is playful and loving while he figures out where they’re both going to stand. Leave Kate and Meghan alone. Neither one of them needs your judgments.”
While social media debates Kate and William’s marriage, royal experts have been noticing a gentle ease between them after her cancer battle in 2024.
“I’ve been with them on many occasions, and when the cameras drop, you’ll often see them walk away and Kate will put an arm around his waist, or he’ll place his hand in the small of her back,” Katie Nicoll, author of Kate: The Future Queen, told the Mirror in late September. “There’s a lovely closeness between them, and whereas at the start of their marriage they seemed shy about being affectionate in public, they’re so much more confident now.”
There was also noticeable chemistry between them in Kate’s September 2024 video update about her health. From handholding to a quick make-out sesh, the Prince and Princess of Wales were happy to show off that PDA.
“William and Kate seem like a different couple! They used to be more reserved,” an insider shared with Us Weekly in July 2024. “But now, they can’t help but look at each other and smile.”
The royal duo have appeared more relaxed during their events in the past year — they aren’t trying to uphold the old-school palace rules. William and Kate’s interactions have grown warmer not only with the public, but also with each other.
So, the video clip from their Northern Ireland visit feels like it was just an awkward moment, and it happened to be caught on camera. Let’s just chalk it up to life in the public eye.
Before you go, click here all the biggest royal scandals in the past 50 years.
