Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Watch: Princess Kate's first curtsey to King Charles captured in moving clip

The Princess of Wales honoured the newly crowned monarch with a curtsey at Westminster Abbey

Catherine, Princess of Wales  departs from the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 in London, England.
Georgia Brown
Senior Lifestyle & Fashion Writer
Share this:

The Princess of Wales gave her first curtsey to father-in-law King Charles following his coronation, showing her sign of respect to the newly crowned monarch as he walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey wearing St Edward's Crown.

The historic moment will be the only time in his life that Charles will wear the 360-year-old crown, which is made of solid 22-carat gold, is over 30cm (1ft) tall and weighs around 2.23kg (nearly 5lbs). 

Honouring the new sovereign, Princess Kate remained poised and elegant as she took a regal bow, placing one leg behind the other and bowing her head.

Prince Louis was absent during part of the ceremony© Getty
The Princess of Wales curtseyed to the new King

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, also followed suit with a curtsey as the King, her brother-in-law, passed her.

The act of a curtsey is an age-old sign of deep respect when greeting a monarch. For women, the greeting is normally a curtsy and small bow of the head if they're seeing the sovereign for the first time that day. For men, the greeting is typically a head bow.

Watch the poignant moment the Princess of Wales showed respect to King Charles III in the clip below…

WATCH: The Princess of Wales perfects first curtsey to King Charles III

The Princess of Wales best moments from King Charles' coronation

The Princess of Wales at the coronation© Getty
Princess Kate looked spellbinding in custom Alexander McQueen at the coronation
The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte both wore Alexander McQueen© Getty
The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte both wore Alexander McQueen
The Princess of Wales wore a bespoke Alexander McQueen gown beneath her coronation robes© Getty
The Princess of Wales was accompanied by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Princess of Wales departs the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla© Getty
Princess of Wales departs the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla

More Royalty

See more