Princess Kate’s cheeky Baftas moment that left Prince William blushing

The Princess of Wales made a glamorous return to the BAFTA red carpet last night, delighting royal watchers with a fleeting, playful moment that left Prince William blushing.

Princess Catherine attended the 2025 ceremony alongside her husband, her first BAFTAs appearance since undergoing cancer treatment. The Princess missed last year’s event as well, leaving Prince William to walk the red carpet alone in his role as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

The couple’s last joint appearance at the BAFTAs was in 2023, when cameras captured a rare and unexpectedly flirty exchange. While posing for photographers, Kate was seen giving William a playful tap on the bottom, a gesture that immediately went viral online.

Royal fans were thrilled by the brief display of affection, unusual for a senior royal couple traditionally known for their more reserved public demeanour, the Mirror reported.

Body language expert Judi James suggested there was more to the moment than met the eye. Speaking to The Sun, she said: “Kate and William do look much less inhibited with their PDAs now they have moved up the royal pecking order. Last night’s bottom pat from Kate also showed where some of the power behind the scenes might lie.”

According to James, the gesture appeared to follow an earlier attempt by Catherine to initiate hand-holding. “The gesture began when she appeared to raise her right hand with the thumb apart from the fingers to signal a desire to hold hands,” she explained.

“William didn’t respond, leaning to chat instead, and so Kate’s small pat or tap on the bum looked part-sexy, part playful reprimand for missing her non-verbal cue.”

James added that William seemed entirely at ease with the exchange, noting a “cocked thumb” gesture from the Prince, which she interpreted as a classic sign of confidence and enjoyment.

Whether royal insiders read so much into the moment or not, one thing was clear: the couple looked relaxed, happy, and perfectly in sync as they enjoyed a rare full-glamour night out together.

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The BAFTAs have long been a highlight in the Waleses’ calendar. William has served as BAFTA President since 2010 and regularly attends the ceremony, often accompanied by Kate, whose fashion choices frequently dominate headlines. Over the years, she has worn designers including Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham, and Erdem, balancing Hollywood glamour with royal protocol.

The Princess’s return to the red carpet comes after a challenging period. In early 2024, Kensington Palace confirmed she was undergoing treatment for cancer following major abdominal surgery. By September, she had completed chemotherapy and focused on remaining cancer-free, telling the public in a personal video message that she was “looking forward to being back at work” and gradually resuming public engagements.

William echoed that optimism, saying in a public engagement earlier this year: “I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.”

The 2023 red carpet moment also reflected a broader shift in the couple’s public dynamic since becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. With their roles elevated, William and Kate appear increasingly confident and natural during engagements. Subtle public displays of affection are still rare, but they seem more frequent than in earlier years.

Some commentators suggested that Kate’s cheeky gesture may also signal a broader message about royal expectations. Judi James noted that it could be seen as a playful demonstration of Kate’s confidence and personality: a reminder that she does not “fit into any mould,” projecting both glamour and a sense of humour.