A royal moment, a missed gesture, and now fans are left wondering—what exactly happened between Princess Catherine and King Charles during the Qatari royals’ state visit.
Princess Catherine made a graceful return to royal duties on December 3. She captured attention with her impeccable style during the Qatari Royals’ state visit.
Princess Catherine, during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom on December 03, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
She and Prince William joined King Charles at the Horse Guards Parade in London to welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, with a ceremonial reception.
Horse Guards Parade ceremony in London to welcome the Qatari royals posted on December 3, 2024 | Source: YouTube/@royalchannel
Dressed head-to-toe in maroon, the Princess of Wales exuded sophistication. She wore a chic long coat paired with a matching hat, leather boots, and gloves. A small maroon handbag completed the ensemble, while a pearl necklace and earrings added a touch of timeless elegance.
Prince William, and Princess Catherine, during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom on December 03, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
As Catherine ascended the stairs, with Prince William, she performed a flawless curtsy in greeting. However, an unexpected moment unfolded as King Charles turned away at the same time, seemingly missing her gesture.
The brief but noticeable incident didn’t escape royal watchers, sparking a wave of mixed reactions online. The seemingly awkward exchange left TikTok users sharing their thoughts.
One person wrote, “Charles completely ignored her.” Another added, “He barely looked at her.” A third chimed in, “He didn’t even acknowledge her.” Many described the situation as “awkward,” suggesting Charles simply didn’t notice Catherine’s curtsy. One comment read, “He didn’t notice that she cursty.”
A fan comment dated December 3, 2024 | Source:Tiktok/@hellomag
Another humorously observed, “Charles turned his back to her [sic] 😂😂😂.”Criticism of the monarch was widespread, with some labeling him “rude.” One user claimed, “He quickly glanced at both of them and turned before the curtsy.”
King Charles III attends the Ceremonial Welcome, at Horse Guards Parade, for the The Amir of the State of Qatar on day one of his State Visit to the United Kingdom on December 3, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Another speculated, “He turned his back to her…maybe wasn’t the first time King Charles saw her and wasn’t expecting it.” Someone else admitted, “I don’t like Kate but this just shows that Charles has absolutely no grace at all.” The awkward moment sparked further curiosity among royal watchers, with some raising questions about protocol.
King Charles III with Prince William, and Princess Catherine during the Ceremonial Welcome on Horseguards Parade during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit on December 3, 2024 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
One wondered, “Why didn’t Prince William bow upon seeing King Charles?” while another asked, “Was Kate Middleton not supposed to curtsy?”
Prince William, and Princess Catherine, during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom on December 03, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Amid the backlash, a handful of commenters shifted focus to Catherine, applauding her composure. One user described her as “respectful and classy.” Another praised her as “Ladylike, respectful, and mannered. HRH Catherine The Princess of Wales is doing a great job.”
A fan comment dated December 3, 2024 | Source: Tiktok/@hellomag
A few even expressed relief, noting her demeanor and appearance. “Very respectful woman…Thank God she’s looking abit well,” read one comment, highlighting the admiration some viewers hold for the princess. Catherine, as always, maintained her poise, ensuring the event remained a display of royal tradition and pageantry.
Princess Catherine, during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom on December 03, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The Princess of Wales took part in the official welcome and carriage procession. This marked her first state visit appearance since completing chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis. Her involvement added a layer of significance to the event, highlighting her return to public duties with resilience and grace.
Princess Catherine, Prince William, King Charles III, and Qatari Royals attend the Horse Guards Parade on December 3, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Later that evening, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a grand state banquet in honor of the Qatari royals. The event was attended by an array of high-profile guests, including David and Victoria Beckham. However, Catherine’s absence from the event didn’t go unnoticed. It left many wondering about her decision to skip the formal gathering.