Prince William’s Body Language at Yesterday’s Outing Speaks Volumes About His Marriage

September 4 marked a major moment for Prince William and Kate Middleton—it was their first official royal outing after a seven-week summer break. And yes, they stepped back into the spotlight looking more united than ever.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, were spotted in London for an engagement that’s especially close to Kate’s heart. As patron of the Natural History Museum, the princess visited the newly re-opened gardens to see the cultural institution’s green transformation firsthand.

While the outing gave fans a chance to see the royal couple back in action, it also offered a surprisingly sweet glimpse into their relationship. After 14 years of marriage and three children (hey, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis), it’s clear these two are still going strong and William was especially tuned in to supporting his wife.

Case in point? A moment captured while they were walking together: William gently placed his hand on the small of Kate’s back. It was subtle, sure, but spoke volumes. It was a reminder than William is a pillar of support for Catherine, especially in a year where her health issues have been a major cause for concern.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen that kind of supportive body language from the couple. Back in May, during the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, body language expert Darren Stanton told PureWow the couple appeared “stronger than ever,” even calling them a “dream team.”

Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Stanton explained, “They put on a united front, and it’s clear they’re working together as a team and wanting to keep their heads held high right now.”