The Princess of Wales's pat on Prince William's bottom on the BAFTA red carpet may actually have been a reprimand for him, according to a body language expert.
The couple put on a glamourous display with Kate wowing in a recycled Alexander McQueen gown and dramatic black opera-style gloves.
As they walked the carpet, Kate was spotted in a blink and you'll miss it moment tapping William affectionately on his behind.
The clip has now gone viral on social media with many royal fans loving the cheeky moment and saying it was a flirty PDA.
And according to body language expert Judi James, it seems the case that Kate performed the gesture following a mistake by William - and she used it as a reprimand.
She told the Mirror: "This bum-tap gesture is part of a swift series of non-verbal signals between the couple, known as tie-signs.
"They were clearly more tactile than usual for this red carpet appearance and their very glamorous styling gave them the look of an A-list power couple.
"Like all good A-listers, Kate seemed to be using tie-signs or non-verbal cues to help choreograph their movements but there was one small moment when they appeared to fall out of sync, possibly due to the fact that William seemed unable to keep his eyes off his stunning wife.
"As they walk past the crowds, Kate seems to look back to acknowledge a complimentary comment with a smile. She then pushes her right hand out towards William’s in what looks like a cue to hold hands.
"William mistakenly leans in to suggest he is expecting more of the flirty whispering they have been doing and raises his hand as his head gets closer, missing Kate’s offer.
"Kate then 'rewards' William with a pat on the bum. So this works as both a sexy ritual or appreciation and a small reprimand for missing her cue."
During their night at the BAFTAs, the couple met BAFTA chairman Krishnendu Majumdar, chief executive Jane Millichip and chairwoman of the BAFTA film committee Anna Higgs ahead of the ceremony.
William told the leaders they were doing a "great job" and nodded as Ms Higgs spoke of how important it was to pursue "diversity" in the industry.
He praised Ms Millichip for handling her position well despite being made chief executive in a "baptism of fire ".
The last BAFTA ceremony the prince and princess attended was three years ago, with the 2021 event postponed due to complications related to the pandemic.
During the ceremony, a pre-recorded tribute to the late Queen was paid by Dame Helen Mirren, who played the late monarch in the 2006 biopic The Queen.
William and Kate watched from the centre of the front row as Dame Helen said: "Cinema at its best does what Her Majesty did effortlessly – bring us together and unite us through a story.
"Your Majesty, you were our nation’s leading star."
