Princess Kate’s “aura” at red carpet events went viral on TikTok as fans praised her handling of an unexpected etiquette breach by Tom Cruise.

The Princess of Wales was arriving for the London premiere of Top Gun: Maverick with husband Prince William and Cruise, who stars in the movie, in May 2022.

Cruise, no doubt wanting to be gentlemanly, offered Kate a hand to help her up the stairs

Princess Kate is seen [L] at the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, England, on February 10, 2019, and [R} at the ‘Top Gun: Mavertick’ Royal Film Performance at…  Samir Hussein/WireImage

Why It Matters

The video was liked 26,600 times and watched 507,000 times after it was posted with the caption: “Real aura.”

What to Know

The TikTok post starts with footage of Kate wearing a black-and-white off-the-shoulder gown by Roland Mouret, exuding Hollywood glamour, at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere in London in May 2022.

A notable moment occurred when Cruise offered his hand to assist her up the stairs, a gesture that sparked discussions about royal protocol and highlighted her composed response.

Once at the top of the stairs, Kate can be seen saying “thank you,” indicating her desire to have her hand back, before switching her clutch bag in order to stop him taking her by the hand again.

At the time, Dr. Erin Watson, a Sky News Australia contributor, wrote on X: “Kate Middleton then immediately switched her clutch so he didn’t touch her again as she went up the next set of stairs like a total #bossroyal who wasn’t going to be touched by Tom Cruise.”

“Kate Middleton is all of us strategically shifting our clutch because someone thinks they can touch you but #nope,” she added.

The next clip showed Kate at the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2019 in a one-shouldered white Alexander McQueen gown, complemented by pearl and diamond drop earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana.

Her ensemble was praised, with news reports noting the ethereal quality of her outfit.

The final clip in the video was not from the red carpet but rather from a particularly poignant appearance at Wimbledon in July 2024, months after she began chemotherapy for cancer that February.

Kate’s attendance at the tournament had been in doubt after her retreat from public life while she focused on her health but she made it and was rewarded with a standing ovation from tennis fans.

Alongside Princess Charlotte, Kate stunned in a regal purple Safiyaa dress, one of the colors associated with the tennis tournament.

What People Are Saying

One fan wrote on TikTok, “can’t wait for them to become king and Queen” while another said: “When you walk into a room and everyone stops what they are doing to look.”

A third wrote: “Notice how Princess Catherine changes hand for her clutch bag so Tom Cruise can’t hold her hand again up the next flight of stairs. Savvy lady.

“He was only being a gent BUT, While there’s no official rule against it, the ‘unwritten rule’ suggests avoiding physical contact beyond a handshake with members of the royal family.”