Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, marked her return to public duties on Tuesday by joining King Charles and Prince William to welcome the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, at Horse Guards Parade in London. Dressed in a stunning maroon coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Kate paired her outfit with a pearl necklace and earrings, showcasing her signature elegance.
However, the event was not without its awkward moments. As Kate and William joined King Charles and the Qatari royals, Kate approached the group to perform her customary curtsy to the King. But in a surprising turn, as Kate waited to curtsy, King Charles and the Emir, along with Sheikha Jawaher, began turning away from the platform and did not acknowledge her gesture.
This left onlookers and royal fans in a bit of a stir. Videos of the incident were shared widely on social media, with many commenting on the awkwardness of the moment. One Instagram user wrote, “They didn’t even look at her,” while another added, “She curtseyed to people who were already walking away.”
Some royal observers have suggested that this might have been an unfortunate timing issue, with King Charles turning away just as Kate was preparing her curtsy. Royal protocol dictates that a curtsy is typically performed in front of someone, not while they are turning away, but many have defended Kate’s graceful gesture.
This appearance marks Kate’s return to public life after a challenging year, during which she focused on her health following a cancer battle. The Princess is expected to make her next public appearance at the Christmas Carol Concert, an annual event she hosts, where she will continue to support the causes close to her heart.
