Tom Cruise Broke A Royal Rule With Kate Middleton - But She Didn't Seem To Mind

The world premiere of Alejandro González Iñárritu's feature "Digger" on September 22, 2026, in London drew plenty of fanfare. One moment, in particular, had royal watchers reaching for their etiquette books. It involved Tom Cruise, the film's headliner, and none other than Catherine, Princess of Wales, as she made her way down a staircase in Leicester Square. The "Mission: Impossible" star reached out a hand to steady her, only to find her clutch occupying that hand. Kate Middleton passed the handbag to the other side on the next flight to offer him her hand. It was a graceful save, except that Cruise wasn't really supposed to offer his hand to the royal in the first place.

Tradition says a royal's hand is off-limits until its owner extends it. This courtesy was most famously applied to Queen Elizabeth II, even if it was flouted on multiple occasions. Though, according to the monarchy's official website, "there are no obligatory codes of behaviour" when in the presence of royalty. Then again, meeting a member of the royal family while standing in line or waiting to be introduced is not exactly the same scenario as a princess walking down the steps. 

Tom Cruise, who looks completely unrecognizable in his latest role, trusted his instincts and handled it as well as anyone could have, and Kate never looked bothered in the slightest. Who could blame the man when he's openly smitten with the couple? Ahead of their appearance, he told the press: "I just love them. They are lovely people, and I have great respect for them." (via LBC) Besides, this wasn't exactly the first time they'd found themselves in that situation.

Leicester Square stairs were familiar territory for both Kate Middleton and Tom Cruise. In May 2022, Cruise joined the couple at the Royal Film Performance of "Top Gun: Maverick" and guided the then-Duchess of Cambridge up the steps by the hand. As soon as the Hollywood star let go, however, Middleton put her bag in the hand he'd just released. So when they reached the next flight of stairs, he had nothing to hold, a move some outlets read as a courteous signal.

Stairs and royal etiquette have clashed before. In July 2017, David Johnston, then Canada's governor general, steadied Queen Elizabeth II by the arm on the Canada House steps in London. He owned it right away. "I'm certainly conscious of the protocol," he told CBC News. He said the carpet was "a little slippy" so he did it to make sure the queen didn't stumble.

At any rate, Tom Cruise has weathered his share of big controversies over the years, and this one barely registers. The man clearly adores the royal couple, and the admiration runs both ways. Kate Middleton dusted off priceless jewels for the first time in over a decade for this September premiere — a sign, perhaps, of how seriously she took the event. At the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, Prince William said: "Top Gun: Maverick" was "one of the most incredible films I've watched in a long time" (via Marie Claire). Royal protocol may frown on an offered hand, but when it comes to Tom Cruise, the princess was clearly willing to make an exception.