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

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 — while navigating stairs!