NEED TO KNOW
- One of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s go-to photographers is giving a closer look at their loved-up photo
- Matt Porteous shared a zoomed-in image of the royal couple taken during the U.S. state banquet on Sept. 17
- Former royal staffer Natasha Archer, photographer Millie Pilkington and designer Phillipa Lepley also sent support in the comments
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The photographer behind Kate Middleton and Prince William’s rare PDA snapshot at the latest state banquet is giving a closer look at the romantic picture.
On Sept. 30, Matt Porteous shared a zoomed-in view of the intimate image that previously appeared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram Stories, which showed them holding hands.
Porteous took Prince William and Princess Kate’s glamorous portrait before the state banquet at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, which was held in honor of President Donald Trump’s state visit to the U.K., and his latest Instagram post revealed that he captured the hand-holding photo as well.
“One frame. Pure elegance, forever held in time,” Porteous captioned the snap on his Instagram grid.
The shot was a closer crop of the picture that the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, shared to their Instagram Stories on Sept. 17, the night of the state banquet.
The picture was captured from behind, taken outside and showed the couple holding hands in a rare display of royal PDA.
“Behind the scenes,” their team wrote above the image then on the couple’s Instagram Stories, utilizing the popular Instagram feature in which pictures disappear after 24 hours.
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Porteous has been one of Prince William and Princess Kate’s go-to photographers for years, and captured their picture for special occasions including Christmas cards with their children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, and family birthdays.
His zoomed-in view of the handholding picture garnered attention from others in William and Kate’s orbit, who showed support in the comments section.
Natasha Archer, Princess Kate’s trusted personal assistant of 15 years, who PEOPLE exclusively revealed is departing her royal role to establish her own private consultancy, dropped heart emojis in two separate comments below the picture.
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“Stunning Matt. 🙌🙌🙌,” wrote Millie Pilkington, another photographer that Prince William, Princess Kate, King Charles and Queen Camilla have turned to.
“Magical 🤍🤍🤍PL,” wrote Phillipa Lepley, the bridal designer behind Princess Kate’s couture gold and white ensemble for the state banquet.
Their comments weren’t the only notable well-wishes — Princess Kate’s brother, James Middleton, also gave the snap a like from his personal Instagram profile.
The Prince and Princess of Wales rarely share public displays of affection, making Porteous’ cozy close-up a standout photo moment.
