Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio: The 20-year platonic relationship that still captivates Titanic fans

The world continues to obsess over their friendship two decades after they first met

DiCaprio is congratulated by Kate Winslet

Theirs is a friendship that continues to fascinate the world 20 years after they first shared a screen together on Titanic.

After meeting on set as young adults, Leonardo DiCaprio, 41, and Kate Winslet, 40, forged Hollywood's most fascinating platonic relationship.

The obsession with the duo has reached fever pitch after Winslet's emotional response to DiCaprio's long-awaited Oscar triumph overnight. The actress was so hopeful DiCaprio could get the best actor accolade she almost forgot about her own success at the Golden Globes during a recent interview.

Their appearances together only serve to endear the pair to the public even more and they have survived the tabloid rumours, speculation and gossip that plague any friendship or relationship under the glare of the spotlight.

A comment from one about the other is also enough to send fans into a frenzy, with Winslet’s recent tongue-in-cheek joke confirming fan theories about there being enough room on the Titanic door to save her fictional lover from drowning capturing the world’s attention.

Addressing the fuss her comment caused at the 2016 Baftas, she told People: ”Do you know what's lovely? So much time has passed that it doesn't matter what I say now. It’s not going to be a story that causes a huge furore. It'll just be something that makes people laugh.

“Thank God for time and the passing of it, that's all I can say!”

The preoccupation with the pair shows little sign of abating, particularly after Winslet declared DiCaprio “her closest friend in the world” and he created a “collective aww” backstage at the Baftas by praising her as “my homegirl”.

“People are always so excited to see Leo and myself in the same space, which you know at the end of the day that is so lovely, isn’t it,” Winslet admitted after the Screen Actors Guild awards. “It’s been 20 years and people still get such a kick out of it.”

They often profess their love for one another, whether it be while standing together on the red carpet, during phone-ins mid-interview or in film junkets.

One of their most memorable dedications came as Winslet accepted her 2009 Golden Globe award. Addressing DiCaprio as he sat in the audience, she tearfully told him: “I’m so happy I can stand here and tell you how much I’ve loved you for 13 years.” Famously stoic, he was visibly moved and blew kisses back at her.

Earlier on the red carpet at the same awards ceremony, Winslet stepped in to save her friend from being questioned on his authority in playing a married man despite his single status. “I can step in for you here,” she interjected. “You know, he’s an actor - he’s a brilliant actor - and he knows about relationships."