Kate Middleton Dips Into an Effortless Double Curtsy for King Charles and Queen Camilla — Here’s Why
The Princess of Wales helped to welcome the German president and first lady at Windsor Castle for the state visit, where she made a gesture of respect
(Left) Kate Middleton in Windsor on Dec. 3, 2025; (Right) King Charles and Queen Camilla in Windsor on Dec. 3, 2025.Credit : Samir Hussein/WireImage; Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP via Getty
Kate Middleton pulled off an impressive double dip as she curtsied to King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The Princess of Wales, 43, showed the gesture of respect for both the King, 77, and Queen, 78, during the welcome ceremonies for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and first lady Elke Büdenbender as they began their state visit to the U.K. on Dec. 3.
As seen in a video shared by Sky News, Princess Kate drew her left leg back and dipped into a curtsy when she made eye contact with King Charles, and just a moment later, she repeated the gesture when Queen Camilla turned in her direction. The Queen then blew a kiss at Princess Kate, who said “Hi” with a smile in return.
Kate Middleton ahead of the ceremonial welcome for the German state visit in Windsor on Dec. 3, 2025.
Curtsies are a gesture of respect within the royal family, and Princess Kate separately curtsied to the King and Queen to show respect for both of them. The royal moves also reflected that it was probably the first time she saw them that day.
All British royal family members, including those with His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) titles like Princess Kate, are known to bow (for men) or curtsy (for women) to the King and Queen when they greet them. Even Prince William follows this protocol and has been seen bowing his head towards his father and stepmother.
If the royals are not seen bowing or curtsying to the King and Queen in public, it’s likely that they have already seen one another that day privately.
King Charles III (4th L), Queen Camilla (6th L), Prince William (2nd R), Kate Middleton (R), German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) and his wife Elke Buedenbender (3rd R) attend a welcome ceremony on the Royal Dais at Datchet Road during Steinmeier’s state visit to Britain on Dec. 3, 2025.
The etiquette also applies to members of the public who wish to follow traditional forms when meeting members of the royal family.
“For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy,” the royal family’s website guides. “Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton ahead of the ceremonial welcome for the German state visit on Dec. 3, 2025 in Windsor.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince William and Princess Kate stepped into the spotlight at the start of the state visit on Wednesday as the first royals to greet President Steinmeier and the first lady at Heathrow Airport.
The royal couple carried out the honor on behalf of King Charles, taking on the job that has become one of their go-to duties during state visits since becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2022 after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
