Kate and Will focus on US visit to 'regain popularity' in 2022

Move over Harry and Meghan, there's a new royal couple heading Stateside. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are officially embarking on a US tour in 2022, their first visit in eight years.

Prince William announced the royal's travel plans in an interview with People following the inaugural award ceremony for his environmental initiative, The Earthshot Prize, in London on October 17.

"This is just the start," the 39-year-old told the outlet of his goals for Earthshot. "I'm thrilled that in 2022, The Earthshot Prize will be heading to the United States, where we will continue to spread this vital message of urgency, optimism and action."

Wills didn't share any other details about the trip, such as proposed timings, engagements or whether their three children will come along, leaving lots of questions unanswered at this stage.

But Kate, 39, and Wills' US visit is reportedly a strategic one aimed at raising their profile and regaining popularity dented by the Sussex's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey back in March.

"Team Cambridge is very focused on America and making sure they have a high profile over there," a source told Vanity Fair.

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"[They] are aware that their popularity took a bit of a dive post the Oprah interview, and that the focus now is on getting that support back," they added.

Whether or not the visit will involve a reunion between royal brothers Harry and William remains to be seen. The princes were last together at the unveiling of a statue of their late mother, Princess Diana back in July, however, Harry reportedly left just 20 minutes after the event.

If the Cambridge clan does stop by Harry and Meghan's multi-million dollar Santa Barbara mansion, it might just be the first time a member of the royal family gets to meet the couple's second child, Lilibet in person.

The Queen's hopes of meeting her eleventh great-grandchild were seemingly dashed earlier in October when palace insiders confirmed that the Sussexes would not be heading back to the UK for Lili's christening.

Duke and duchess of PDA

Royal fans were left swooning over a series of never-before-seen backstage snaps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the recent Earthshot Prize Awards in London.

Released three days after the inaugural environmental event, the trio of stunning black and white pics capture Prince William and Kate Middleton together behind the scenes at Alexandra Palace.

One of the shots, taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson, captures a rare moment of PDA between the Cambridges that's not often seen at public engagements.

Kate, who re-wore a stunning Alexander McQueen gown for the occasion, places a hand on her husband's lower back while deep in conversation. The pair, heads bent together, appear almost unaware that they've been photographed.

Both Jackson and the duke and duchess shared the pics to their respective Instagram accounts, much to the delight of royal fans.

"I hope these pictures illustrate some of the depth of feeling throughout the event," Jackson wrote in his caption, thanking Kate and Will for the opportunity to snap the intimate backstage pics.

Fans flooded the comments with compliments and praise for the 'radiant' royal couple.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh The loveliest pair imaginable," gushed one.

"How lovely to see genuine love and affection," remarked another.

"Absolutely Magical event, with our future King and Queen looking radiant," said a third.

One fan went so far as to declare the photos "Like a scene from a fairytale".

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