A moment at the Royal Film Performance screening of Top Gun: Maverick in May 2022 recently went viral on TikTok, when a clip of Princess Kate’s reaction to Tom Cruise holding her hand on the red carpet captured widespread attention.
The scene, which was viewed over 1.5 million times and liked 16k times, sparked conversation online about proper royal etiquette and the actor’s familiarity with Kate.
Tom Cruise holds Kate Middleton’s hand
The incident unfolded as Kate and Prince William attended the event at Leicester Square, where Tom Cruise joined them on the red carpet.
In an unexpected move, Cruise took Kate by the hand while they navigated a set of stairs. His gesture appeared to break from the usual protocol, and the moment was captured on video.
As Cruise held her hand, Kate immediately pulled it away, shifting her clutch bag into the hand he had been holding.
This subtle but firm action seemed to convey her desire to maintain boundaries while still being polite. Meanwhile, Prince William observed the situation with a knowing smile, placing his hand on his throat—perhaps a sign of mild discomfort at the unorthodox greeting.
Although there aren’t strict rules governing how to interact with the royals, a certain level of formality and decorum is expected.
Some TikTok users defended Cruise’s actions, suggesting his gesture was simply a courteous one.
One fan remarked, “He only gave support to his hand like a gentleman, and if the prince was attentive, he would have done it himself.”
The encounter hasn’t stopped Cruise from continuing to engage with the royal family. He has since been seen sitting behind Kate at Wimbledon for two consecutive years and attended a London Air Ambulance fundraiser in August 2024, where Prince William publicly thanked him for his support.
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