Coronation 2023; how Prince William’s kiss on King Charles III cheek continues their public facing admiration

As Prince William swore an oath to his father, the new King of England, he took a moment to tenderly kiss King Charles III on the cheek - a regal public display of affection on one of the world’s most historic occasions. Was the kiss part of Royal protocol or tradition? Perhaps, but perhaps it is also a  continuation of their widely known admiration and love for one another.

While the British Royal family is known for their formal and reserved demeanour, there have been a few instances where King Charles and Prince William have publicly shown their affection for each other. In 2013, the pair appeared on BBC One's "The Royal Paintbox," where they shared a light hearted conversation about painting and joked around with each other. 

In a 2016 interview with Sky News, Charles said of William: "I want to run alongside him as long as I can. The idea that you can suddenly stop and say, 'Well, I'm a certain age, therefore I can't do this or that,' is just nonsense," with Prince William a year later in an interview for GQ saying “ "I'm very lucky in the sense that he's still there and he's still willing to take an interest. He's never forceful, but he's always there, and I can ask him anything. He's got an incredible amount of knowledge."

Prince William even referred to his father as "pa" during the interview. In 2019, Prince William wrote an article in Country Life magazine in honour of his father's 70th birthday, praising him for his dedication and love for the environment. The article was accompanied by a series of intimate family photos, including one where Prince Charles is seen embracing his grandson Prince George.

Prince William views his father as not only a loving family member but almost a form of counsel and guidance throughout his life. Prince William stated in a 2020 documentary about the King of England and the Commonwealth  "I've learned an immense amount from him. As a father, he's been my role model, my supporter and my critic."

The mutual affection didn’t just stop at words however, with a few instances where King Charles and Prince William have been seen hugging or patting each other on the back during public appearances. 

In 2019, they shared a warm embrace at the funeral of the Duke of Westminster, and in 2020, they were seen embracing at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey. It's worth noting that the Royal family generally doesn't engage in public displays of affection, so these instances are relatively rare.