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Tom Cruise’s Sweet Gesture Toward Kate Middleton at ‘Digger’ Premiere Has the Internet Talking

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Red carpet moments involving the British royal family always carry an extra layer of scrutiny, and Tuesday night’s star-studded premiere in London proved no exception. What should have been a straightforward night celebrating Tom Cruise’s newest film instead became one of the most talked-about royal interactions in recent memory, sparking a wave of online debate that had little to do with the movie itself.

The moment in question unfolded at the world premiere of Cruise’s new film ‘Digger,’ held at London’s ODEON Luxe Leicester Square, where the Prince and Princess of Wales joined Cruise and a star-studded cast on the red carpet. While greeting the royal couple, Cruise offered his hand to Kate Middleton as she prepared to walk down a flight of stairs, a small gesture that quickly went viral once video of the exchange began circulating online.

According to footage shared by Hello! Magazine, Middleton, who had been holding her clutch purse in the hand closest to Cruise, graciously switched it to her other hand before accepting his offer. The actor then held her hand as the two descended the steps together, all while greeting Prince William warmly nearby, reportedly complimenting his jacket in the process.

This wasn’t the first time Cruise has extended this same courtesy to Middleton. The two shared a nearly identical moment back in 2022 at the London premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ where Cruise similarly helped guide her up a staircase, a gesture that was widely praised at the time as gentlemanly. That earlier interaction reportedly sparked its own conversation about royal etiquette, though royal family guidelines have long confirmed there are no strict, obligatory protocols dictating how visitors must greet members of the family.

Speaking with reporters at Tuesday’s premiere, Cruise reflected warmly on his relationship with the royal couple. “I just love them. They are lovely people, and I have great respect for them,” he said, according to comments reported by Tyla. The premiere marked Middleton’s first movie premiere appearance specifically as the Princess of Wales, adding an extra layer of significance to the star-studded evening.

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Not everyone reacted to the gesture with the same warmth Cruise expressed. While plenty of social media users called the moment sweet and gentlemanly, others were quick to voice discomfort, with one commenter writing under the royal couple’s Instagram post that “Tom Cruise should keep his hands to himself.” Others found humor in the situation, joking that Cruise seemed almost starstruck despite his own considerable fame.

The reaction didn’t stop at commentary about Cruise himself. Some fans also directed criticism toward Prince William, questioning why Middleton’s own husband wasn’t the one helping her down the stairs, especially given the moment was clearly captured on camera with William standing nearby. Despite the mixed reactions, the royal couple appeared entirely unbothered throughout the evening, seen laughing and chatting comfortably with Cruise as the night continued.

Middleton’s outfit for the occasion also drew plenty of attention in its own right, with the Princess of Wales wearing a royal purple gown by designer Jenny Packham, featuring sheer, full-length sleeves, paired with teardrop pearl earrings and an heirloom necklace. William complemented her look in a classic black tuxedo with a velvet blazer, rounding out the evening’s formal royal presentation.

‘Digger,’ Cruise’s new dark comedy directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, is set to arrive in theaters on October 2, following its starry London premiere. Given how much attention the film’s royal red carpet moment has generated online, it seems likely this particular interaction between Cruise and Middleton will remain part of the conversation well after the film itself hits theaters.

What do you think of Tom Cruise’s gesture toward Kate Middleton?

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