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It was simple, sweet and wholly unexpected for a couple who\u2019ve rarely shown, let alone highlighted, public displays of affection. But on February 14, Prince William<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Princess <\/b><\/a>Kate Middleton<\/b><\/a> did something different: They posted a photograph showing him planting a kiss on her smiling face on their official Instagram page to mark Valentine\u2019s Day, complete with a red heart emoji. More than 23 years after meeting as college students in Scotland \u2014 and nearly 14 years after their royal wedding \u2014 Britain\u2019s future king and queen are in a new era.<\/p>\n \u201cWilliam and Kate are being more transparent with the public. Their relationship isn\u2019t as off-limits as it once was. Their social media post proves they\u2019re opening up more to the world,\u201d a royal source exclusively tells Life & Style<\/em>, explaining that the shift is rooted in a growing openness \u201cwith each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Following what William, 42, has admitted was a \u201cbrutal\u201d year \u2014 both Kate, 43, and his father, King Charles III, 76, were diagnosed with cancer in early 2024<\/span><\/a> \u2014 they\u2019ve emerged \u201cstronger and <\/span>closer and thankful for every second they have together,\u201d reveals the source. Learning that <\/span>Kate is now in remission, which she announced publicly in January, has marked \u201ca new beginning\u201d <\/span>for the couple, adds the source. \u201cThey\u2019ll <\/span>never take each other for granted<\/span><\/a> again.\u201d<\/p>\n Last year, the Princess of Wales said she was grateful to have \u201cWilliam by my side\u201d<\/a> during her health crisis. He stepped back from his royal engagements and stepped up as a father, taking on an even bigger role with children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. \u201cKate admires how he supported her and held down the fort at home while she fought for her life,\u201d says the source. William, too, was changed by what he witnessed. \u201cHe\u2019s always admired her strength,\u201d says the source, \u201cbut he also saw a side of Kate, her resourcefulness and grit, only he knows.\u201d<\/p>\n They\u2019ve made some meaningful decisions in recent months. \u201cThey\u2019re rewriting their marriage rules. No. 1 is putting their family first, even over the monarchy,\u201d shares the source, explaining it\u2019s why they skipped the BAFTAs on February 16 \u2014 William is president of the U.K. awards show\u2019s parent organization \u2014 and instead vacationed with their kids<\/a>. \u201cAnother is losing the armor they hide behind, to be more spontaneous and affectionate,\u201d adds the source. \u201cAnd they\u2019ve vowed to no longer keep secrets from one another, because William\u2019s tendency to do that \u2014 including with how he handled the Rose Hanbury<\/strong> situation<\/a> \u2014 definitely affected their relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n That scandal was hard on the royals. They publicly stayed silent as rumors claiming William had an affair swirled following a 2019 story in the U.K.\u2019s Sun<\/em> newspaper alleging Kate had a mysterious falling out with Rose. The 40-year-old Marchioness of Cholmondeley lives near the Waleses\u2019 country estate, Anmer Hall, with her marquis husband, David Rocksavage<\/strong>, 64, and when speculation reemerged in March 2024, Rose\u2019s lawyers told Business Insider the rumors were \u201ccompletely false.\u201d Says the source: \u201cThat\u2019s all behind them now.\u201d<\/p>\n In January, Kate took to Instagram to let her 16.8M followers know she\u2019s feeling like \u201cthere is much to look forward to\u201d this year. She and William \u201ccouldn\u2019t be happier,\u201d adds the source. \u201cThey really appear to be more in love than ever before.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nA MUTUAL RESPECT<\/h2>\n
BRIGHTER DAYS<\/h2>\n