Before becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton first laid eyes on each other while studying at the Scottish university of St Andrews in 2001.

From university sweethearts to the power Royal couple of the decade – what followed was the epitome of a fairytale love story, culminating in an picturesque wedding ceremony held at London‘s Westminster Abbey 10 years later.

Yet, while the pair often spoke openly about their undeniable love and support for one another, and with the exception of their momentous nuptials, the couple rarely exchanged loving physical gestures in public in the early days of their marriage.

But following the heartbreaking announcement of Kate’s cancer diagnosis last year, the world began to witness an entirely different side to the beloved Royal couple.

As she embarked on her long road to recovery, and perhaps in a stark show of solidarity as a united pair, over the course of the last 18 months the couple’s loving side has been showcased like never before.

Seemingly no longer fearful of PDA (public displays of affection), when the Prince and Princess have stepped out for numerous Royal engagements, an increasing number of highly affectionate and tender moments have been captured between the two.

Here, Daily Mail takes a look at some of the most romantic moments shared between the future King and Queen Consort as their relationship gradually evolves through the decades.

1. A loving show of display during a visit to Northern Ireland

When the Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprise day-long visit to Northern Ireland yesterday, the besotted pair were pictured beaming as they trialed cider.

The pair wore large smiles as they roamed through Long Meadow Cider, with Kate lovingly glancing over at her husband as they walked side by side.

In a particularly tender scene during the day, Kate was photographed affectionately placing her hand on William’s back before the royal couple rode in a fire truck and watched trainee firefighters take part in drills.

The pair were seen beaming as they roamed through Long Meadow Cider, with Kate lovingly glancing over at her husband as they walked side by side

During their trip to Northern Ireland, Kate was photographed affectionately placing her hand on William’s back before the royal couple rode in a fire truck and watched trainee firefighters take part in drills.

2. More loved up than ever! The Prince and Princess share an affectionate moment during the VE Day celebrations 

Despite being married for more than a decade, Kate and William appeared more in love than ever as they joined the King and Queen at the VE Day celebrations in May. 

In incredibly sweet scenes, the pair were seen placing their hands on one another’s backs in a supportive gesture throughout the Horse Guards Parade.

The beaming Princess also seemed to struggle to keep her eyes off her husband as they enjoyed the evening of music in London.

Along with showcasing plenty of affectionate looks, the couple proved they can still make each other laugh as they shared several amusing moments.

The pair were seen placing their hands on one another’s backs in a supportive gesture throughout the event at the Horse Guards Parade to celebrate VE Day in May

Along with showcasing plenty of affectionate looks, the couple proved they can still make each other laugh as they shared several amusing moments

3. Love was in the air in Scotland as the pair celebrated their 14th anniversary

True to their Scottish roots, the Prince and Princess of Wales were seen looking lovingly at one another as they marked their 14th wedding anniversary during a very special visit to the Isle of Mull in April.

Putting on an incredibly loved-up display, Kate was seen joking with her beloved husband while placing a hand on his back as they walked together.

Then, to mark the momentous occasion, the couple posted an incredibly romantic picture to their official Kensington Royal social media accounts which showcased the pair lovingly holding each other as they enjoyed a quiet moment at dusk in Tobermory.

‘Wonderful to be back on the Isle of Mull,’ the caption read. ‘Thank you to everyone for such a warm welcome.’

True to their Scottish roots, the Prince and Princess of Wales were seen looking lovingly at one another as they marked their 14th wedding anniversary during a very special visit to the Isle of Mull in April

The romantic picture was posted on the couple’s official Kensington Royal social media accounts and showed the Prince and Princess of Wales lovingly holding each other as they enjoyed a quiet moment at dusk in Tobermory

4. A sign of unity and adoration as the Prince and Princess made their first joint engagement in more than a year

As the Prince and Princess of Wales rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in to making Welsh cakes and greeting the public in Pontypridd, Wales, in February, they seemed more loved up than ever.

Arriving for their outing via train, Kate and William held hands as they walked through Cardiff Central station, leaning their heads close together and chatting away.

Their public displays of affection gave a direct glimpse into their affectionate dynamic behind the scenes, while also a remarkable distinction from their previous shows of formality and slight detachment during while in public.

Analysing their body language in the adorable moment, Ms James explained  that the obvious warmth and cheer between the couple served as a ‘continuation of the love story narrative’ seen in Kate’s personal cancer video.

As the pair were seen beaming arm in arm while they waved to the crowds, Ms James spoke highly of their displays of affection and mutual adoration. She added: It’s almost impossible to not smile while you watch them’.

Arriving for their outing in Pontypridd, Wales, in February, via train, Kate and William held hands as they walked through Cardiff Central station, leaning their heads close together and chatting away. It marked their first joint engagement in more than a year

As the pair were seen beaming arm in arm while they waved to the crowds, Ms James spoke highly of their displays of affection and mutual adoration. She added: It’s almost impossible to not smile while you watch them’

5. A tender moment of unity between the pair as Kate navigates her cancer diagnosis in front of the world

In September 2024, after months outside of the spotlight since Kate’s cancer diagnosis emerged, Kensington Palace released a touching video of the pair and their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

It made for an unprecedented piece of deeply personal footage, showing an intimate portrait of the Wales family like never seen before.

At the centre of the video was a sweet show of affection between the couple as the pair even shared two kisses, despite this being something of a rarity, with the exception of their high-profile wedding kiss in 2011.

Speaking to The Mail, body language expert Judi James shared how the video revealed the ‘true depth of adoration and love’ the Waleses hold for one another’.

In September 2024, after months outside of the spotlight since Kate’s cancer diagnosis emerged, Kensington Palace released a touching video of the pair. At the centre of the video was a sweet show of affection between the couple as the pair even shared two kisses

6. Moments of reassurance amid a lavish Buckingham Palace reception 

In November 2023, just months before Kate’s devastating cancer diagnosis was revealed, Prince William was spotted placing a reassuring arm around his beloved wife during a reception to welcome President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee of South Korea in London.

As William delicately placed a loving hand on his wife’s lower back, she proceeded to reciprocate the sweet gesture by placing her hand on her husband’s back before holding his hand.

The royal couple, who appeared relaxed, walked through the room full of dignitaries hand in hand.

Earlier in the day, Kate and William travelled with Mr Yoon and Mrs Kim to a Horse Guards Parade ceremonial welcome, where the King and Queen were waiting.

Kate donned a beaming smile as she looked on lovingly at her husband.

 In November 2023, just months before Kate’s devastating cancer diagnosis was revealed, Prince William was spotted placing a reassuring arm around his beloved wife during a reception to welcome President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee of South Korea in London

Earlier in the day, Kate and William travelled with Mr Yoon and Mrs Kim to a Horse Guards Parade ceremonial welcome, where the King and Queen were waiting. Kate donned a beaming smile as she looked on lovingly at her husband

7. The look of love – Kate can’t help but beam longingly at her Prince during the Trooping the Colour

As Kate’s first official public appearance since the announcement of her diagnosis earlier that year, all eyes were on the beloved Princess as her and William were set to attend the Trooping the Colour in June 2024.

She rode in a carriage with her children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – and ended the day on the balcony with the Royal Family.

But in a particularly sweet moment captured between Kate and William, the Princess of Wales was seen looking over at her husband with a radiant smile, a sign that perhaps through the difficulties of the past year, they could always rely on each other.

The couple gazed at each other affectionately while their three children stood in front of them.

As Kate’s first official public appearance since the announcement of her diagnosis earlier that year, a particularly sweet moment captured Kate looking over at her husband with a radiant smile, a sign that despite the difficulties of the last year, they could always rely on each other

8. A rare celebratory embrace at a charity polo match in Windsor

Back in 2022, the Royal couple were also captured sharing an affectionate moment after William won a trophy at the Royal Charity Polo Cup at Guards Polo Club.

In other adorable photographs from the engagement, the royals can be seen exchanging intense eye contact before smiling and laughing together.

Meanwhile they also exchanged a kiss as the Duchess presented the Duke with a trophy after the match.

At the end of the event, the pair were seen  walking with their arms affectionately wrapped around each other’s waists at the end of the day.

According to Ms James, the couple’s ‘natural chemistry’ was on full display that event, a ‘signal of the actual depth of their relationship and how they would normally behave with more intimacy when they were out of public view.’

Back in 2022, the Royal couple were also captured sharing an affectionate moment after William won a trophy at the Royal Charity Polo Cup at Guards Polo Club. In a rare sign of PDA, they even exchanged a kiss as the Duchess presented the Duke with a trophy after the match

According to Ms James, the couple’s ‘natural chemistry’ was on full display that event, a ‘signal of the actual depth of their relationship and how they would normally behave with more intimacy when they were out of public view’

9. A delightful smile and loving hold shared between the Prince and the Princess at an Olympic Park visit

In October 2022, during a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London, royal fanatics couldn’t help but notice Kate’s incredible look of love for her husband.

The besotted pair were seen laughing and smiling, while Kate also placed a loving hand on her husband’s back during the interaction.

In October 2022, during a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London, royal fanatics couldn’t help but notice Kate’s incredible look of love for her husband

The besotted pair were seen laughing and smiling, while Kate also placed a loving hand on her husband’s back during the interaction

10. A celebratory hug spotted during a triumphant sporting moment at the London Olympic Games

Back in 2012, Kate and William left some onlookers shocked with their PDA at the London Olympics.

One of the most touching images of the pair, it shows them embracing at the as cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and his team-mates raced to a gold medal at the Velodrome.

The couple did not hide their delight – or indeed their affection for each other – while watching the action.

It served as a clear sign that despite having spent more than a decade together, they were still a hands-on and tactile pair.

Later, William joked that he feared they would be caught on ‘kiss cam’ at the stadium.

He said: ‘I was absolutely dreading they were going to come and show myself and my wife.

‘That would have been very embarrassing.’

Back in 2012, Kate and William left some onlookers shocked with their PDA at the London Olympics. One of the most touching images of the pair, it shows them embracing at the as cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and his team-mates raced to a gold medal at the Velodrome

11. Sealed with a kiss! The moment the world fell in love with the Royal Couple in their first show of PDA

When William and Kate said ‘I Do’ at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, the nation held its breath to see if they would share a moment’s kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, reminiscent of Charles and Diana’s spectacular wedding 30 years prior.

Evidently, by the time the glass doors of the balcony swung open, it was clear that the public knew what they wanted, with the playful crowds already chanting: ‘Kiss, kiss, kiss.’

Against the background of roaring crowds of delight, the newlyweds sealed the deal with a triumphant kiss. It was to become renowned as one of the most iconic parts of their fairytale wedding day.

When William and Kate said ‘I Do’ at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, the nation held its breath to see if they would share a moment’s kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Against the background of roaring crowds of delight, the newlyweds sealed the deal with a kiss

As the world continues to fall in love with the heir to the British throne and his beloved Princess, their rare public moments of tender affection capture their undeniable love and support they have privately shared amid some of their most treacherous times.

More than 24 years on, and as the Royal power couple eagerly approach their 15-year wedding anniversary, their romance shows little sign of cooling as they undoubtedly look more in love than ever before.