Kate Middleton and Prince William have been married for almost an entire decade now. Can you believe it? The world witnessed their royal wedding and the introduction of their three kids to boot. However, there have been certain changes after the marriage of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle. Their followers immediately noticed the subtle developments in the behavior of the royal family. Let us find out exactly what happened…
Rumors Say Harry And Meghan Caused This Change In William And Kate’s Relationship
Ups And Downs
Before Prince William and Kate Middleton walked down the aisle, the two of them experienced their fair share of ups and downs. In 2001, they met when they were both attending the University of St. Andrews. It is said that she first got his attention when she participated in a charity fashion show.
Ups And Downs
At Long Last
When they first started dating, they had to deal with certain obstacles. For one, Kate became familiar with the attention of the press. As a matter of fact, her lawyers even filed a complaint for harassment! It was also cited as the reason for their split in 2007. However, it is a good thing they eventually made their way back to one another. A decade after they first met, they got married in Westminster Abbey.
At Long Last
The Married Life
After the two of them exchanged vows, it was time for the lovebirds to start their lives as husband and wife. In 2013, the two began a family of their own with the birth of Prince George. Supporters began to notice that even though Kate and William appeared close, they were not really into public displays of affection. Apparently, there was a reason for this.
The Married Life
No PDA
William and Kate chose not to be demonstrative of their affections for a reason. Basically, the two of them were always at work! If you were in the office, it is not considered appropriate for you to hold hands with someone while on the clock! The two of them refused to get touchy when there were cameras present. After all, they are essentially the representatives of the monarchy.
No PDA
Official Photos
“The Duke and Duchess are almost always seen in photographs taken during official engagements, so they are at ‘work,’ and it would be unprofessional to hold hands,” explained Emily Nash, a journalist working for HELLO!, in 2017. She added, “They also need to shake hands with a huge number of people as they meet them, so aside from being on duty, it wouldn’t be very practical!”
Official Photos
Sporting Events Are Different
“We know [the Duke and Duchess] are very affectionate and that sometimes comes across during more lighthearted moments, at sporting events or similar, but you wouldn’t expect them to put that on show while in more formal situations,” a different source said. In the photo below, you can see William and Kate showing some PDA during the 2012 Olympics.
Sporting Events Are Different
New Couple In Town
In 2017, there had been a shift in their dynamic. Fans and the press had been quick to notice this. It seems like it had something to do with how Prince Harry and Meghan acted in the public eye!
New Couple In Town
Harry And Meghan
If you are updated with news about the royals, perhaps you have already seen your fair share of Harry and Meghan coupling it up. In July 2018, the two even had a pretty steamy kiss during a polo match. Even though this was unprecedented, many people ate it up.
Harry And Meghan
A Fresh Modern Approach
Here is what royal etiquette specialist Myka Meier told PEOPLE in 2017: “Meghan and Prince Harry holding hands at a royal engagement is a refreshingly modern approach to their new role both as a couple and as representatives of the royal family.”
A Fresh Modern Approach
Royal PDA
She also described public displays of affections to be “simply a matter of preference for each couple and is also likely dependent on the nature of the event.” Camilla and Charles might be seen holding hands, but this behavior is not that common. In general, the rule of thumb is that “a more serious engagement would warrant a more serious level of professionalism, which each royal is sure to follow.”
Royal PDA
Professionalism
You should keep in mind that there was a time when this professionalism was followed very strictly. In 2017, the author of Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life explained that the public display of affection, or its lack thereof, between the Queen and Prince Philip has always been noted. Author Sally Bedell-Smith explained, “In the manner of the upper class, neither of them were physically demonstrative.”
Professionalism
Unexpected Display
However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge surprised everyone in October 2018. For once, the two did not hesitate to display PDA! Kate just returned from maternity leave after Prince Louis’ birth. Is there any chance that you remember the instance we are talking about?
Unexpected Display
Quite Unusual For The Pair
Prince William accompanied his wife to the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London. During this event, many onlookers noticed that he put his hand on Kate’s back and leg! People took notice of this since this was not common behavior for the couple whatsoever.
Quite Unusual For The Pair
A Rarity
It turns out that there was more to it than meets the eye. A couple of days after this, they attended Prince Eugenie’s royal wedding. The two of them seemed even closer than normal. Kirsten Aiken posted Twitter updates about it. One tweet said, “Commentary team oohs and aahs over an apparently rare PDA by William and Kate (mind you, they’re only holding hands!).”
A Rarity
Body Language
Judi James, a body language interpreter, talked about the pleasant surprise in greater detail. “They managed to outdo Harry and Meghan here,” she explained when she was interviewed by the Daily Mirror. “Kate reached across to place a hand on the arm of her husband’s chair, and he put his own hand over it in a very romantic gesture.”
Body Language
Sweet Smiles
She also discussed the body language that the Duke and Duchess exhibited at the summit. This is her statement for the Daily Express: “Kate seems to have increased in confidence here at their first public outing together since the birth, and William is unusually tactile, flashing some sweet “pinging” smiles at his wife to suggest he’s incredibly pleased to have her back at his side.”
Sweet Smiles
Competition
But what could have possibly led to this change in demeanor between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge? In the Daily Mirror, James was quoted as saying that it was “prompted by the very tactile displays from Harry and Meghan.”
Competition
Hoping To Shine Brighter
Fans of the royal family believe that they feel the need to compete with the younger couple. After Princess Eugenie got married, one tweet said that Kate and William hoped to “upstage” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex!
Hoping To Shine Brighter
Bad Blood
Rumors say that there is bad blood between the two couples. Gossip magazines and tabloids claimed that Meghan and Kate were seen arguing right before the former’s wedding in 2018. Anonymous sources said that the conflict revolved around the bridesmaid dress Princess Charlotte was going to wear. Rumors also said that Kate cried because of the disagreement they had!
Bad Blood
Moving Away
This alleged quarrel between the two Duchesses even made it to the headlines. In November of 2018, the press reported that Harry and Meghan were leaving Kensington Palace. Of course, this meant that they would no longer be living close proximity to William and Kate. One anonymous source said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to do this after another feud between the sisters-in-law.
Moving Away
Not Getting Along
That same month, another source told The Sun that the problem was not actually between Kate and Meghan. This person claimed that William and Harry are the ones who have been fighting. Is this true?
Not Getting Along
From Different Worlds
A person who said they were a “close friend of the Cambridges” claimed that Kate and Meghan do not really see eye to eye. “Kate and Meghan are very different people. They don’t really get on,” they said. Considering that the two of them come from different backgrounds, it is not surprising to hear this.
From Different Worlds
Behind Closed Doors
Despite the things we have previously mentioned, we do not really know the truth unless we happen to be a member of the royal family. Kensington Palace will likely never reveal what truly goes on in the family when the cameras are not around. This is actually why most of the articles about the Windsor family will only revolve around the public displays of affection and the body language that they exhibit.
Behind Closed Doors
Bonding Between Ladies
Take a look at the body language they display in this photo. It was shot when the whole family got together for the holidays in 2018. Meghan and Kate seemed happy together, as did everyone else. Was it possible that they were only doing this for the sake of the cameras? According to body language experts, this did not sound likely. “See how they’re laughing [and] how they’re all walking in sync?” a specialist named Patti Wood told Marie Claire, “It’s really difficult to do that if you really, really don’t like somebody.”
Bonding Between Ladies
The Significance Of Accessories
Did you know that you can learn things from accessories as well? If one holds the bag with the hand closer to her husband, it probably means they want to distance themselves a little from her partner.
The Significance Of Accessories
A Good Sign
If you need an example, take a look at Kate in this photograph. You can see that she was not holding hands with her husband. Instead, she chose to put her bag right between the two of them. Experts said this meant good things for her relationship with her sister-in-law, who is positioned on her other side. This can be taken to be mean that nothing comes between the two ladies, both literally and figuratively!
A Good Sign
Making An Effort
Isn’t it amazing that body language experts even take their grip on their accessories into consideration? Look at the stance that Kate had in the photo below. She did not link hands with William but chose to use that hand for her clutch purse instead. Even though it separated her from her husband, this gave her the opportunity to interact more with Meghan. She displayed an openness with Meghan using this position. One might even go as far as to say that nothing came between the Duchesses!
Making An Effort
Mere Speculation
Despite this, the two of them still became the topic of headlines in 2019. There were alleged fights between the two. The reports piqued the interest of Sarah Ferguson! The Duchess of York, better known as Fergie, decided to speak her mind last February.
Mere Speculation
Always Compared
Perhaps you were too young to remember how she used to be compared to Princess Diana far too much. She decided to compose an open letter about her feelings on internet speculation. Here is an excerpt from it: “It seems that online, anything goes.”
Always Compared
Pitting Women Against Each Other
“Women, in particular, are constantly pitted against and compared with [one another] in a way that reminds me of how people tried to portray Diana and me all the time as rivals, which is something neither of us ever really felt,” Fergie explained. She continued, “People feel licensed to say things online that they would never dream of saying to someone’s face. And that encourages others to pile in.”
Pitting Women Against Each Other
No Concrete Evidence
Let us not forget that no one has turned up any concrete evidence about the existence of tensions between the Duchesses and the Princes. Since we have started talking about this, it would be a good idea to remember that there is no proof that they want to one-up each other as well. The truth is that fans and the members of the press simply suspect that this is the case due to the grapevine.
No Concrete Evidence
Another Royal Couple
There is another royal couple that deserves to be mentioned when it comes to the topic of public displays of affection. If you ask us, Charles and Camilla still make up the original touchy-feely couple. In December 2018, they graced the pages of Vanity Fair. She even placed her hand on his legs in one photo!
Another Royal Couple
Some Tweaks To The Rules
Apart from this, there is also a reason to believe that the two of them will change things up when he has to take over the throne. Perhaps the Royal family has finally decided to catch up with the times.
Some Tweaks To The Rules
Changing Times
Penny Junor, a biographer, spoke to Good Housekeeping just last year. She said, “Times have changed. Charles is still so besotted with Camilla – even after all these years – that it would be hard for him not to show his natural affection.” After all, they are just human like us!
Changing Times
And The Award Goes To
We think that Harry and Meghan still deserve the award for the most demonstrative couple of the royal family. As expected, they behaved as sweetly as ever when they went on the Australasian royal tour.
And The Award Goes To
Most Affectionate
Harry has no hesitation about holding his pregnant wife’s hand when they traveled together. In fact, the two of them did not unlink their arms when it was time for them to politely clap during events!
Most Affectionate
Complaints
Even though many people thought the two of them are adorable and charming, some people think that it is not appropriate behavior. A Mumsnet user complained about how physically affectionate Harry and Meghan are. The user went on a rant and said, “For the love of God, could they stop holding hands? They’re not on a date, they’re carrying out official business!”
Complaints
Growing Even Closer
James said that the shift in the relationship between William and Kate might have something to do with the birth of Prince Louis. The Daily Express quoted the expert, “Their smiles together have changed, and their affection and love signals are much more intense and open than ever before, suggesting the birth of their third child has somehow thrown them back into the honeymoon stage.”
Growing Even Closer
Not Just Them
It seems like Kate and William are not the only ones who started acting sweeter because of a child. Harry and Meghan now appear even more smitten when they are in public! The two stepped out to visit the Whakarewarewa Forest during the royal tour to have a private moment. We really love this lovely photo that Harry took of his pregnant wife!
Not Just Them
Thanks To The Kids
Maybe it is a rule that couples begin to act even closer when they have a new child! It did not only bring Kate and William closer, but it also did the trick for Meghan and Harry. No matter how long you have been together, you can spice things up with a baby.
Thanks To The Kids
Doesn’t Mean Anything
While William and Kate are less demonstrative about their feelings, we have no doubt that the two of them adore each other. You should not assume that there is trouble in paradise just because PDA is rare. A lot of people do not engage in such showy behaviors. It is not just limited to royals!
Doesn’t Mean Anything
Over 70 Years
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip do not make a lot of physical contact in public, but the two of them have been together for over seventy years by now. This is all the evidence we need to figure out that PDA is not a requirement for a successful relationship.
Over 70 Years
The Kids Included
Even though it is not really common to see royal couples get all touchy-feely, perhaps people approve of such behavior between children and parents more. Although it varies from one parent to another, history shows that this does not happen all that often either.
The Kids Included
Parents And Kids
At the very least, things have somewhat improved over the years. Kensington Palace does not really have a lot of affectionate parents in the past. Do you want to know what we are on about? Well, Prince Charles was only five years old when his parents left him behind to travel for six months. When they returned, they only gave him handshakes instead of hugs!
Parents And Kids
Princess Diana
Princess Diana had been something of a pioneer when it comes to this. The ex-wife of Prince Charles took a new approach to royal parenting. Every time that she needed to leave to go on tour, she would take little Prince William with her. In those days, this was considered to be a very bold move. Despite this, it only made her a more likable and relatable figure to the members of the public!
Princess Diana
Affectionate Royal
Aside from this, she also made a name for herself with the way she handled kids. She always made sure to kneel down whenever she had to interact with children. This was to make sure that she was eye to eye with them. Ingrid Seward, a writer for Majety, explained to ABC News, “The royal family used to say that everyone had to be deferential to them. But Diana said, ‘If someone [could] be nervous of you, or you’re speaking to a very young child or a sick person, get yourself on their level.’”
Affectionate Royal
With Their Children
At any rate, Kate and William have no problems showing their children affection. This seems to be true both in front of the camera or in private! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hold their kids’ hands, play with them, bring them anywhere, and laugh together even during inappropriate moments. The whole family was caught having a laugh at the balcony during the Trooping the Color ceremony in 2017.
With Their Children
Parenting Style
We are glad to hear that William and Kate want the kids to talk to them whenever they want to. In 2017, William spoke to CALMzine and said, “Catherine and I are clear that we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings.” He issued the statement before Prince Louis was born, but we are sure that it also applies to the youngest child!
Parenting Style
Communication Is Key
“Over the past year, [Kate and I] have visited a number of schools together where we have been amazed listening to children talk about some quite difficult subjects in a really clear and emotionally articulate way – something most adults would struggle with,” he said during the same interview. You can easily tell that it is not a laughing matter for Prince William whatsoever.
Communication Is Key
New Generation
“Seeing [these children] has really given me hope that things are changing and that there is a generation coming up who find it normal to talk openly about their emotions. Emotional intelligence is key for us all to deal with the complexities of life and relationships,” the Duke went on.
New Generation
Just Be Kids
We are sure that Kate and William will also talk to the kids about the nature of affectionate displays when the time comes. In the meantime, we are sure they just want them to be the children they are.
Just Be Kids
New Parents
Do you think it is true that Kate and William decided to be more physically affectionate in public because of Meghan and Harry? If this is the case, there is also something that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex can learn from them. The younger couple can probably do with some advice on how to raise a child! Since William and Kate have three kids of their own, they know much more about parenthood.
New Parents
Kneeling Down
We are happy to see that Harry and Meghan have adopted the “kneeling to meet a child at their eye level” stance as well. They clearly took a leaf from Princess Diana’s book! This looks like a good sign that the two of them are on the right track when it comes to becoming great parents.
Kneeling Down
A Child Of Their Own
During their tour of Australia, they got to interact with lots of kids too. Maybe they had been trying to accumulate more experience with children before the birth of their own. Do you think they will continue to be touchy-feely now that they are busy raising a kid?
A Child Of Their Own