The Gist

• Prince William and Kate Middleton were among the contingent of royal family members to attend the Commonwealth Day service on March 9.
• The event was held at Westminster Abbey—the same venue where the Prince and Princess of Wales married nearly 15 years ago.
• In one under-the-radar moment, the future queen displayed subtle PDA towards her husband that underscored her support of him.

It used to be that public displays of affection between members of the royal family rarely, if ever, happened—but now, at least when it comes to Prince William and Kate Middleton, they pop up all the time.

Call it more relaxed royal protocol, call it a new closeness after the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis, call it what you will—but the couple, married nearly 15 years, appear more in love than ever. Such was the case at the annual Commonwealth Day service on March 9, where William and Kate returned to their wedding venue, Westminster Abbey, and the future queen snuck in subtle PDA towards her husband, placing a hand on his back in an unspoken gesture of support.

Kate Middleton putting an arm around Prince William at the Commonwealth Day service
Credit: Getty*

Kate, wearing a bright blue pleated Catherine Walker coatdress, a matching wide-brimmed Sean Barrett hat, diamond and pearl earrings from Queen Elizabeth’s collection, and a five-strand pearl necklace from her own collection, looked radiant at the service, which takes place on the second Monday in March each year. As People reported, while there are no official rules on PDA when it comes to royals, it’s generally done sparingly.

“Senior members of the royal family would likely not be told how to interact or when they can or cannot show PDA and would be trusted to use their better judgement as to when it’s appropriate,” royal etiquette expert and Ladies of London star Myka Meier previously told the publication. “The royals often adjust PDA to mirror the formality of the event they are attending.”

Kate Middleton and Prince William arriving at Westminster Abbey
Credit: Getty*

As royal biographer Ingrid Seward previously told the outlet, these days, the Prince and Princess of Wales “are happy for people to see them be touchy-feely. They’re in a different phase of their life now. William is very protective and very proud of her for coming through this and carrying on with her life.”

As Hello! reported, after Kate’s gesture on Monday, William beamed in response. Body language expert Inbaal Honigman told the outlet that Kate’s touch of his back was a “supportive” one, after Kate appeared to have sensed that William “needed a quick boost” and reached out “to remind him that she is there for him.”

“Princess Catherine’s gentle hand on William’s back is a straightforward message to the prince,” she added. “It is a supportive touch, which says, ‘I’ve got your back.’”

Prince William and Kate Middleton on March 9, 2026
Credit: Getty

Kate Middleton and Prince William leaving Westminster Abbey
Credit: Getty

“Getting cancer changed her, it changed William, and it changed everything between them,” a family friend told Vanity Fair. “They were both shocked to their core, but they knew they would get through it together.”

Another friend told the publication, “Like all couples, the relationship has ups and downs, but I would say they are stronger than ever. They are a very tight partnership.”

Read the original article on InStyle.