Tom Cruise outshines Prince William with gentlemanly gesture toward Kate Middleton

Royal protocol is not for everyone. Not many people share the same traditions, and some may even see them as outdated in today's world. But the British monarchy is built around protocol and traditions that have maintained its symbolic role for many years.

However, in the age of social media, where every moment travels in seconds, small details are noticed more than ever. That was the case at the London premiere of Digger , where Tom Cruise's gesture toward Kate Middleton earned praise from many online while Prince William faced criticism for not doing the same.

A gesture that caught everyone's attention

As Alejandro González Iñárritu, Prince William, Princess Catherine and Tom Cruise made their way down a flight of stairs, Cruise reached for Kate's hand to help her descend. The princess accepted the gesture, which was seen by many as a normal act of courtesy and chivalry in other cultures.

People questioned why William did not extend his hand to help his wife, but the reason is not that he cannot do so. Royal protocol dictates that royals cannot show physical affection toward each other in public .

More about symbolism than physical contact

Members of the royal family are taught to walk and maintain their presence without relying on someone else for assistance. The idea is that the monarchy must be able to carry itself in any situation, making the rule more about symbolism, power and firmness than physical contact. Cruise's gesture went against the tradition.

Cruise breaking that protocol to help Kate down the stairs is also not the first time he has made a similar gesture. This time, however, it brought a wave of negative comments toward William, even though the prince was simply following the rules surrounding royal etiquette.

For more traditional members of the monarchy, Cruise's gesture did not go unnoticed either . Royal etiquette says that people should not initiate physical contact with a member of the royal family unless the royal extends their hand first.

These traditions remain a point of debate, especially as William and Kate have worked to give the monarchy a fresher and more modern image. Still, there are certain rules that remain deeply connected to the institution and its symbolism, making them difficult to break even when a simple gesture like helping someone down the stairs feels completely natural elsewhere.