Kate Middleton and Prince William did something they rarely do in the public eye while leaving the hospital this evening: hold hands. Photographers caught the rare PDA moment while they were carrying their new son to the car.
William also put his arm around Middleton when they first exited the hospital for their photo call:
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are usually more reserved, perhaps in part because William will be king someday—though it's not mandated by royal protocol that they be. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, by contrast, are frequently photographed holding hands in public. They did so today, even, while arriving at the memorial service for Stephen Lawrence.
Myka Meier, founder and director of Beaumont Etiquette and a royal etiquette expert, explained to People earlier this year that how much PDA is shown really depends on the couple versus a certain royal rule. 'It is rare to see royal couples holding hands on official outings. While we are much less likely to see The Duke and Duchess holding hands in public, we often see Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall holding hands–it’s all simply a matter of preference for each couple and is also likely dependent on the nature of the event they are attending' Meier said. 'A more serious engagement would warrant a more serious level of professionalism, which each royal is sure to follow.'
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
