Princess Catherine and Prince William show rare PDA at King Charles’ Scottish coronation

The Princess of Wales has shown a rare public display of affection as she pays a sweet tribute to Princess Diana.

Princess Catherine and Prince William in Edinburgh. Picture: AFP

Princess Catherine has given Prince William a playful pat on the backside in a rare public display of affection between the two as they joined King Charles and Queen Camilla for the King’s Scottish Coronation.

The Princess of Wales joined other senior royals, including her husband, for the historic event in Edinburgh.

Princess Catherine taps her husband on the behind during a celebration for King Charles’ coronation in Edinburgh. Picture: Supplied

She and Prince William joined Queen Camilla to watch on as King Charles was presented with the Crown of Scotland during his Scottish Coronation at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Despite the formality of the occasion, Princess Catherine – who appeared at Wimbledon alongside Roger Federer on Tuesday – was in a playful mood, tapping her husband on his behind.

Princess Catherine supported Prince William at the historic ceremony. Picture: Getty Images

The couple in deep conversation during the event. Picture: AFP

In recent months, the couple have been more effusive with their affections in public; Princess Catherine tapped her husband on the behind at Royal Ascot last month, and also sent royal fans wild when she performed the same gesture on the red carpet at the BAFTAs in February.

King Charles ahead of the service. Picture: Getty Images

The couple were in Edinburgh to support the King and Queen for the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication held in honour of the King’s crowning in London on May 6.

King Charles is presented with the Crown of Scotland, part of the Honours of Scotland, during a National Service of Thanksgiving in Edinburgh. Picture: AFP

King Charles and Queen Camilla at the sombre ceremony. Picture: Getty Images

The four senior members of the royal family watchon. Picture: Getty Images

The Princess paid tribute to the late Queen by wearing her pearl choker necklace which was also loaned to Diana. It is the same necklace she wore to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year.

She also gave a nod to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing her pearl drop earrings for the occasion.

The royal couple arrive at the ceremony. Picture: AFP

King Charles received the Sceptre and the Sword of State that make up the Honours of Scotland — the country’s crown jewels — during the historic ceremony.

Prince William and Princess Catherine, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, joined the nation’s leading figures and 100 guests from a wide range of society at the church on the Royal Mile.

King Charles and Queen Camilla. Picture: Getty Images

King Charles was supported by his eldest son. Picture: Getty Images

King Charles and Queen Camilla leave the historic ceremony. Picture: Getty Images

Gun salutes rang out across Edinburgh following the ceremony as protesters could be heard booing and shouting “Not My King”.

King Charles is continuing the late Queen’s tradition of spending a designated week in Scotland each year, known locally as Royal Week, according to the royal website.

The couple also followed in her footsteps by celebrating their historic coronation with a second set of festivities in Scotland.

The service came eight weeks after Charles and Camilla were crowned in an ancient ceremony at Westminster Abbey where King Charles made a pledge to “serve”.