Kate Middleton Delivers a Flawless Curtsy for King Charles as She Returns to the Spotlight

As the Princess of Wales gradually returns to royal duty, so do her impeccable curtsies

Kate Middleton’s return to royal life continues with her biggest diplomatic undertaking since announcing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year — and included an impeccable curtsy to father-in-law King Charles.

The Princess of Wales, 42, took part in a state visit for the first time since announcing her diagnosis on March 22 and, subsequently, telling the public that she had completed chemotherapy in a separate message on Sept. 9. Princess Kate and husband Prince William greeted the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani on Tuesday, Dec. 3, meeting the couple at a private residence before traveling together by car to Horse Guards parade, where they were met by King Charles.

At the welcome ceremony, Kate dipped into a flawless curtsy to King Charles before following behind the King, 76, and the Prince of Wales, 42, to watch the ceremony take place. Curtsies are historically done by royal family members as a sign of respect for those who are of a higher royal rank than themselves, a subtle gesture that carries enormous weight.

Over her 13 years as a working royal (and years spent dating Prince William before they married in 2011), Kate has become an expert at curtsying, even navigating obstacles while doing so, like at the November 2023 state visit where she helped welcome South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee — and curtsied while navigating stairs!

While women traditionally curtsy as a sign of respect, it is traditional for men to bow their heads. All members of the royal family bow or curtsy to King Charles and Queen Camilla — even his children! — and if royals aren’t seen bowing or curtsying to the King and Queen, it’s typically because they’ve already seen one another that day.

More than 900 soldiers turned out at Horse Guards to welcome the guests of honor at the Dec. 3 state visit. Kate then took part in the carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, riding in the Australian State Coach with William behind the King, the Amir and his wife in the Irish State Coach. Though she participated in some of the state visit, Kate will not attend the state banquet tonight hosted by the King, though Prince William and Queen Camilla will be there, as the Queen continues to recover from pneumonia, which she confirmed on Dec. 3.

At Buckingham Palace, Kate — wearing a burgundy coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, a hat by Sahar Millinery and jewelry belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth — joined other senior royals for a private lunch.

In addition to being a master of the curtsy, Kate is by now an expert in diplomatic dressing, a skill on display today. Her decision to wear burgundy paid homage to the flag of Qatar, and her four-strand pearl necklace and pearl drop earrings from Queen Elizabeth’s collection also paid homage to the country, as crimson and white are the colors of the Qatari flag. The Princess of Wales added heeled boots from Gianvito Rossi and a burgundy Chanel bag to complete the look.

It’s the beginning of a busy week for the Princess of Wales, who on Friday, Dec. 6 will host her Together at Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, alongside husband Prince William and other royals, including hopefully her children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.