Kate Middleton and Prince William have shared sweet affection for each other after the Princess of Wales returned to public duties amid her cancer remission.

As The Daily Express put it, Kate “began her royal journey in William’s shadow, and was shy at times in the early days.” That was a long time ago, though, and now “her confidence has grown,” the outlet reported, and she often undertakes solo engagements, like Monday’s outing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards.

That would be huge if the 6-year-old went on a royal tour. It’s something his siblings, his cousin Prince Archie, his dad, and his Uncle Prince Harry all did as babies, so doing so at 6 (or 7) years old is quite groundbreaking — even for the adorably cheeky, tradition-breaking royal.