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Prince William was always the real prince, understated and a bit formal. Harry was the hugger
But what a difference the last few years have made – as we saw yesterday when he made a surprise visit to the Christmas dinner at The Passage, a homelessness charity in London.
It was a matter of hugs all around from the once demure Prince of Wales.
Just a few days ago there was a royal hug for charity walker Emma Webb.
She got the surprise of her life when William appeared without warning, said 'boo' – and gave her a bear hug!
Emma lost her 16-year-old daughter, Brodie, to suicide in 2020 and wants to raise awareness with a charity walk from Wales to London.
It was day 13 of the trip when William struck, moving Emma's companion to tears. A video of the meeting released by the palace went viral.
In the past, it was always noted how much William resembled his mother in appearance.
Now he has added the warmth of her gestures to his repertoire. She would have been proud.
Prince William dropped by for Christmas lunch in the Passage – and handed out the hugs
Prince William surprised Emma Webb, whose horse daughter Brodie committed suicide. She is walking from Wales to London to raise awareness
Here William is seen hugging an emotional resident during a visit to the Wheatley Group in 2022 to hear about the challenges of homelessness in Glasgow
Prince William hugs Barbara Reid, mother of Jessie James, a teenager shot dead in a Moss Side park in 2006, after listening to her statement in front of Jessie's Wall, a memorial built in her son's honor in November 2023
Prince William hugs a runner as he hands out water during the 2017 London Marathon
Prince William hugs a young woman who gave an emotional speech at the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 memorial service in Hyde Park
Prince William hugs Katie Daley during a visit to Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool in September 2017
Prince William hugs England Women's Leah Williamson during the 2022 UEFA Women's Euro England 2022 final between England and Germany at Wembley
Prince William, chairman of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, hugs a cleaner at the Royal Marsden in Chelsea, London, 2019
Prince William wanted to give out a hug during a royal tour to raise awareness about homelessness
Prince William, Prince of Wales, embraces Professor Uzo Iwobi, founder of Race Council Cymru in Cardiff this year
Prince William embraces a young woman at The Mix youth service on December 19, 2016 in London, England