Members of the royal family rarely kiss or show public displays of affection (PDA) – so, when they do, it always makes a moment to remember.
These days, royal etiquette is more relaxed than in years prior, so while still a relatively rare sight, the royals are generally more likely to share sweet moments of love and affection in public.
Royal kisses are most commonly seen on the balcony following a wedding: Prince William and Kate’s kiss in 2011 has become one of the most iconic royal smooches of all time, and the European royals also follow the tradition. Princess Eugenie and her new husband Jack Brooksbank also shared a rare public kiss following their 2018 nuptials.
But it’s also possible to see more candid and private moments, even in the public eye. Zara and Mike Tindall are known for their public affection and will often share a kiss at sporting events such as the Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot. Prince Harry and Meghan are no strangers to a public kiss and show their support for one another in social media posts and at joint event appearances.
Even King Charles and Queen Camilla, and Prince Edward and Sophie, have, at times, shared a peck at engagements, showing the royals are just as loved-up as the rest of us.
This Valentine’s Day, HELLO! has rounded up some of the best royal kisses in recent years – see all the photos below.
© WPA PoolThe Prince and Princess of Wales
The kiss shared by the now Prince and Princess of Wales at the royal wedding in 2011 is one of the most iconic royal smooches of all time.
© WireImagePrincess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi shared a rare public display of affection at Royal Ascot last June.
They were seen sharing a sweet kiss in the royal box while watching all of the action.
© Samir Hussein/WireImagePrince Harry and Meghan Markle
The temperatures may have been freezing at the opening of the Invictus Games in Vancouver last February, but it didn’t stop Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sharing a passionate moment.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed with rapturous applause at the opening ceremony, with Harry giving a speech that left many in tears.
The couple also shared a sweet kiss in a private moment, despite the huge crowds surrounding them.
© GettyKing Charles and Queen Camilla
A rare PDA moment between then Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
This sweet moment was spotted between the couple after Charles played in a polo match in Cirencester in 2005.
The outing took place just two months after their Windsor wedding.
© Patrick van KatwijkKing Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark
King Frederik and Queen Mary shared a kiss on the balcony after Frederik was proclaimed King on 14 January 2024.
And their daughter Princess Isabella, 16, had the sweetest reaction to the moment behind-the-scenes.
© Pool/Max MumbyPrincess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank shared their first kiss as husband and wife on the steps of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on their wedding day on 12 October 2018.
© GettyThe Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
Prince Edward greeted his wife Sophie with an affectionate kiss as she set off on a cycling challenge from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace in London in 2016.
The then Countess of Wessex completed the epic feat over seven days, cycling 450 miles.
© ANP/AFP via Getty ImagesKing Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima
Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands showed he was the King of multitasking as he waved to the crowds while kissing his new bride, Queen Maxima, in 2002.
The couple met in Spain at the Spring Fair in 1999, where the future monarch introduced himself simply as “Alexander”.
Maxima, who hails from Argentina, reportedly didn’t believe him when she later found out he was actually a senior member of the royal family.
© Alamy Stock PhotoKing Felipe and Queen Letizia
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain looked very relaxed on their summer holidays in 2011, even sharing a rare kiss.
At the time, they were Crown Prince and Princess, and were attending a sailing regatta in Palma de Mallorca.
Read the full article here
