While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are often known for their public displays of affection, the Prince and Princess of Wales have a softer, more private side that rarely makes headlines.

According to royal author Katie Nicholl, who spent hours observing Kate Middleton for her biography Kate: The Future Queen, there’s a clear shift in the couple’s behavior when the cameras aren’t rolling.

“When the cameras drop, you’ll often see Kate put an arm around William’s waist, or he’ll place his hand on the small of her back,” Nicholl told The Mirror. “There’s a lovely closeness between them. At the start of their marriage, they seemed shy about being affectionate in public, but now they are so much more confident.”

Preparing for a Special Anniversary

Next April, William and Kate will celebrate fifteen years of marriage, their Crystal wedding anniversary. Nicholl predicts that although the couple tends to keep things low-key, they might do something special to mark the milestone.

Earlier this year, they quietly celebrated their 14th anniversary with a trip to the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, the place where they first fell in love. They shared a few charming photos from the trip on social media, delighting fans.

A Look Back at Their Journey

William and Kate tied the knot on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, in a ceremony broadcast to over 180 countries. Over half of the UK population is estimated to have tuned in to watch.

The couple first met at the University of St Andrews in 2001. Their friendship grew into romance over time, eventually leading to marriage. Since then, they have welcomed three children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.