Princess Kate opted for a remarkably casual approach when presenting her husband to a patient during a joint royal engagement at Charing Cross Hospital in west London today.
"This is William," the Princess of Wales said simply, forgoing any mention of his numerous titles.
The Prince of Wales, heir to the throne, responded with characteristic warmth, shaking the patient's hand and joking: "We've come to interrupt your gym session."
The Waleses, both aged 43, routinely address one another by their first names rather than formal titles. They frequently sign personal social media messages with just their initials, "W" or "C".
Princess Kate wins praise for ‘humble’ introduction of William without royal title
|RYAN JENKINSON / KENSINGTON PALACE
Royal fans on social media expressed their admiration for the couple's down-to-earth manner during the hospital visit.
One supporter commented: "And they are both so humble, she introduced PW, 'This is William', to one of the patients."
Another fan praised the approach, writing: "I love how she introduces her husband, 'This is William', no titles, no protocol."
The informal introduction resonated with observers who appreciated the absence of ceremonial formality.
The surprise visit to Charing Cross Hospital in west London marked the Prince and Princess of Wales's first official engagement of 2026 | RYAN JENKINSON / KENSINGTON PALACEDespite William holding multiple titles, including Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, the couple consistently favour a more accessible style when meeting members of the public.
The royal couple, who serve as joint patrons of NHS Charities Together, attended the hospital to draw attention to the efforts of NHS staff and volunteers facing heightened pressure during the winter period.
When meeting with NHS Charity chief executives, trustees, policy makers and philanthropists at a roundtable discussion, William again introduced his wife without any formal designation.
"Catherine and I just had a very nice tour around the rehabilitation unit upstairs and seeing some of the supporting structures and things put together by the NHS and Charities Together to kind of maintain staff welfare, patients, all things like that," the Prince of Wales remarked.
Princess Kate and Prince William greeting NHS staff and volunteers | RYAN JENKINSON / KENSINGTON PALACELATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Princess Kate opens up on ‘daunting experience’ as she returns to hospital with William | RYAN JENKINSON / KENSINGTON PALACEWilliam reflected on his personal connections to healthcare during the roundtable, drawing on both his time as an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance between 2015 and 2017 and his wife's recent health challenges.
"Both of us have had different experiences with hospital — me working with the air ambulance, Catherine with her recent health journey — and coming here today and reminding ourselves just how important all the teams are, all the staff, the patients, the interactions," he said.
"It's so heartwarming, and it's so important that we kind of acknowledge and appreciate all that goes on in the NHS and that very strong bond between patient and carer."