At the London premiere of his latest film "Digger", Tom Cruise made headlines for breaking royal protocol not once, but twice, during interactions with Kate Middleton and Prince William. The incident has sparked interest among fans and observers alike, particularly since the trio's last joint appearance on the red carpet dates back to 2022.

According to eyewitness accounts, the first breach occurred when Kate Middleton approached a staircase in her floor-sweeping gown and Tom Cruise extended his hand to assist her down the steps. While Prince William stood nearby, reportedly watching the interaction unfold without visible discomfort, Middleton graciously took Cruise's hand while transferring her clutch to her other hand before accepting William's offer.

Just moments later, Cruise repeated the gesture, greeting Middleton with a kiss on each cheek, which further flouted traditional etiquette guidelines. Despite these unconventional displays, Middleton appeared comfortable throughout the encounter, even chatting amiably with Cruise after the unusual greeting.

What caught particular attention from observers was Prince William's reaction, described by some as looking "bashful but happy" as he stepped aside, allowing Cruise to take the lead in initiating the greeting. Interestingly, Cruise also took the opportunity to compliment William's fashion choices, remarking on his double-breasted velvet tuxedo jacket and bow tie, which garnered praise from both himself and others present.

This incident marks one of several instances where Cruise has shown willingness to defy conventions around royal protocol. In fact, a similar instance occurred at the 2022 Top Gun: Maverick premiere, where Cruise offered Middleton the same helping hand he extended at the "Digger" premiere.

While royal protocol dictates that greetings should ideally remain formal, involving either a slight curtsy or handshake between members of the royal family and their guests, very few public figures are given such leeway. As such, Cruise's actions have drawn attention to the unspoken rules governing interactions between members of the British royal family and those outside it.

Fans online have responded positively to Middleton's seemingly good-natured demeanor during the exchange, interpreting her ease with Cruise as an example of her famously friendly personality. Meanwhile, the unexpected personal touch added to what would normally be a formal moment on the red carpet ahead of "Digger"'s October 2 release has generated widespread discussion about the nuances of royal protocol and social etiquette in general.