Kate Middleton stuns in New Year’s photo with Prince William

The Duchess of Cambridge has stunned in a new picture of her and Prince William to commemorate the New Year, giving a rare glimpse at the couple’s relationship.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge rang in the New Year with a rare and intimate glimpse at their relationship, sharing a never-before-seen picture to mark the end of 2021.

The image, shared to the couple’s official social media accounts, showed the pair cozied up in the back of a limousine, both laughing at the camera and holding hands.

It appears to have been taken at the September premiere of the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die, with Kate dazzling in a low-cut Jenny Packham gold-sequined gown.

The Duchess paired the dress with matching statement earrings and Aquazzura pumps.

“Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!” read a note from the couple, accompanying the photo.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the No Time To Die premiere in September. Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Due to the current surge in Covid-19 cases in the UK, the Cambridges and the rest of the royal family did not partake in their annual public walk at Sandringham with the Queen on Christmas Day.

Instead, the couple and their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, reportedly held an “extra special” affair with the rest of the Middleton relatives at their Norfolk home.

The Duke of Cambridge reportedly gifted his wife a “beautiful bracelet”, a source told US Weekly, with the intention to “make this Christmas extra special”.

In a message on their social media, the couple acknowledged that “this Christmas will be different to what so many of us had planned”.

“From those who are alone or having to isolate away from loved ones, to the incredible people supporting our NHS and caring for those most in need – we are thinking of you. W & C,” they wrote.

It comes after the Duchess of Cambridge made a surprise appearance at the Christmas Eve Westminster Abbey carol concert, playing piano while pop star Tom Walker sang his hit For Those Who Can’t Be Here.

The event was televised by ITV because of the royals’ feud with the BBC over its recent documentary about Princes William and Harry.

Kate’s flawless performance was perhaps all the more satisfying because her childhood piano teacher had previously said: “I don’t think she was ever going to be a concert pianist.”

The concert was not live, having been filmed earlier this month.

The couple at the Westminster Abbey Royal Carols – Together at Christmas. Picture: Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty Images

A royal source told People music was “very important” to Kate during Britain’s Covid lockdowns, and she “recognises the powerful way in which music brings people together” during tough times.

“For these reasons, she was keen to be part of Tom’s performance in this way.”

Speaking after the recording, Walker said Kate “completely nailed” her performance.

“It was truly an honour playing alongside the Duchess for Royal Carols: Together at Christmas,” he said.

“Without doubt, it was a once in a lifetime experience. So I think we were both really nervous that it wasn’t going to go quite to plan and one of us would let down the other person or whatever, but she was absolutely fabulous – she smashed it.

“I thought she absolutely smashed the performance; it’s not easy to just jump behind a piano with a bunch of musicians you’ve never played with before and record live takes to camera, but she completely nailed it.

“She’s such a lovely, kind and warm-hearted person and she took the time to thank everyone personally for the opportunity to play together.”

Originally published as Kate Middleton stuns in New Year’s photo with Prince William