Princess Kate performs the perfect curtsy for King Charles at Commonwealth Day service – watch

The Princess of Wales joined her husband Prince William, the King and Queen, Princess Anne, and the Gloucesters, for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey

he Princess of Wales showed her impeccable taste for royal protocol on Monday as she performed the perfect curtsy for King Charles. Kate, 44, was attending the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, joined by her husband Prince William, the King and Queen, Princess Anne, and the Gloucesters.

The family exchanged a warm line-up of kisses upon arrival. Prince William was seen chatting to Anne, his aunt, while music played from the organ.

When the King and Queen approached, William embraced his father. Kate was then seen kissing His Majesty on the cheek, before swiftly dropping into a curtsy, effortlessly completing the move.

The 1,800-strong congregation was also joined by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and senior Government figures. For decades, the service has been broadcast by the BBC, but this year, they instead showed an episode of Escape To The Country.

Kate’s perfect curtsies

Traditionally, it is a sign of respect to greet the monarch with a curtsy. The move sees ladies bob down into a low curtsy by bending their knees and bowing their heads. The gesture doesn’t need to be long or exaggerated and can be performed briefly as a sign of acknowledgement and respect.

It is usually performed in public, and when seeing the monarch for the first time that day. The men, meanwhile, will usually bow. Kate previously performed curtsies for the late Queen Elizabeth II and has continued the practice for her son.

In December, she performed the perfect double curtsy for the King and Queen at the start of the German state visit, welcoming President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife.

© Alamy
King Charles and Queen Camilla (front) and the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Commonwealth Day Service

The Princess executed the perfect double curtsy, one for the King and then, in case Camilla had not seen her, another for the Queen. Similarly, she curtsied twice during the French state visit back in July.

Kate’s royal style

On Monday, Kate, 44, looked as stylish as ever in her formal outfit, which consisted of a glorious navy blue Catherine Walker coat dress, which featured bold 80s style shoulder pads and delicate pleated skirt detail.

© Getty Images
The Princess of Wales seen departing the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service

The mother of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis wore her trademark brunette hair in a lightly curled style, and her makeup looked as fresh and flawless as always.

The royal also sported the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch wore them on her wedding day in 1947.