Prince William and Kate Middleton remain aligned in their mission to modernize the monarchy. As part of that effort, the Prince and Princess of Wales occasionally step away from long-standing traditions.

One such moment happened during Donald Trump’s recent state banquet, where the couple quietly bent a long-held royal rule. A candid photo captured them holding hands after the event—a small but meaningful break from the late Queen Elizabeth’s well-known no-PDA policy at official occasions.

Breaking Tradition with a Tender Moment

The photo, later shared on their Instagram, showed William and Kate outside Windsor Castle in the dark after the banquet. Their affectionate gesture defied the expectation that royals keep a professional distance in public as symbols of the Crown.

Royal commentator Emily Nash once explained to HELLO!: “They are almost always seen in photographs taken during official engagements, so they are at ‘work’ and it would be unprofessional to hold hands. 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!”

A Long-Standing Rule Questioned

William and Kate are not the only royals to push back against this custom. In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry expressed his frustration: “The older generation maintained a nearly zero-tolerance prohibition on all physical contact. No hugs, no kisses, no pats.

Now and then, maybe a light touching of cheeks… on special occasions.” He even recalled moments when he wished to hug the late Queen but refrained out of respect for protocol. Harry noted that royal family members rarely stray from the rule when in the public eye.

When PDA Is Acceptable

Etiquette expert Myka Meier told PEOPLE that senior royals aren’t actually bound to the rule outside official duties. This is likely why William and Kate felt free to hold hands once the banquet was over.

“Senior members of the royal family would likely not be told how to interact or when they can or cannot show PDA and would be trusted to use their better judgment as to when it’s appropriate,” she explained.

She added, “The royals often adjust PDA to mirror the formality of the event they are attending. At a somber or more formal event, we are less likely to see PDA than at a casual event where it would be deemed more fitting.”

A Night of Splendor

For the state banquet, Kate wore a custom Phillipa Lepley silk gown paired with a hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat, while William appeared in a black suit adorned with medals and ceremonial sashes.

During the dinner, Kate sat beside Donald Trump, who complimented her, calling her “radiant and healthy.” Before the banquet itself, William and Kate were given the honor of welcoming the Trumps to Windsor Castle, joining King Charles and Queen Camilla for the formal carriage procession.