Kate Middleton’s curtsy to Prince William at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s enthronement was driven by seating logistics, not protocol—highlighting the couple’s flexible approach to royal traditions.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the enthronement ceremony installing Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25, 2026, a historic event marking the first time a woman has held the role. Representing King Charles, the couple’s arrival outside Canterbury Cathedral in Kent was met with a formal greeting from the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain.
Video footage shows Lady Colgrain dipping into a curtsy as she shook hands with each royal. Observers noted that Princess Kate, 44, initiated the greeting with a curtsy before Prince William, 43, had an opportunity to do so—a seemingly surprising reversal of expected protocol where the heir typically proceeds first.
However, the explanation was purely pragmatic. Upon exiting their vehicle, Princess Kate was seated on the side closest to the church building, placing her physically nearer to the greeter. Prince William, having to walk around the rear of the car, arrived a moment later. There were no mandatory rules dictating the order of greetings; the moment was a simple consequence of car seating.
This incident underscores the couple’s well-documented approach to royal duties. While Prince William is the heir apparent, he frequently yields the visual spotlight to his wife when she is the patron of an organization or championing a cause. Biographers have long noted this dynamic.
“In one sense, hers and William’s was a modern royal marriage, in that it was a love match,” author Sarah Gristwood, who wrote Elizabeth: The Queen and the Crown, previously told People. “But in another, it has been old-fashioned. She mostly appears as a supportive figure to her husband.”
Biographer Penny Junor echoed this sentiment, comparing Kate’s role to that of Prince Philip supporting Queen Elizabeth II. “She’s never trying to outshine him in any way,” Junor stated. “I think that Kate is a bit like Prince Philip supporting the Queen. She doesn’t outshine William but still has a lot to say herself.”
The royal family has no strict, codified rules for how commoners should greet members of the monarchy. The official royal website explains that those wishing to observe “traditional forms” may bow or curtsy, but many opt for a simple handshake. The choice is left to personal preference.
Despite this flexibility, Princess Kate consistently observes the traditional curtsy for King Charles and Queen Camilla. During the Nigerian state visit welcome ceremony the week prior, she greeted Camilla with kisses on each cheek followed by a curtsy, while Prince William chose only the cheek kisses. She also curtsied to the King at Commonwealth Day services, demonstrating her adherence to the nuanced protocols of the senior royals.
The Archbishop of Canterbury holds a unique position in British constitutional life, having crowned most monarchs over the last millennium and officiated at royal weddings, including Prince William and Princess Kate’s in 2011. Dame Sarah Mullally’s installation continues this deep historical connection. The royal couple had met with Mullally at Lambeth Palace the previous month, during which she expressed shared hopes for the future and promised prayers for the family.
This small, logistical moment captures a larger truth about the modern monarchy: tradition is often observed with a discerning eye, and the personal dynamics of the senior royals are shaped by both history and everyday practicality. Kate Middleton’s curtsy to her husband was not an act of required deference but a simple result of which car door she exited. In the intense scrutiny of royal life, such clarity is rare and refreshing.
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