Awkward moment King Charles missed Kate’s ‘perfect curtsy’ during Qatar state visit

The Princess of Wales returned to her public duties with elegance and glamor yesterday as she bowed deeply to King Charles as he welcomed the state visit to Qatar.

Kate, 42, joined her husband Prince William and Charles to greet Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, at London’s Horse Guards Parade for a ceremonial welcome.

She was as regal as ever in a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen coat and a Sahar Millinery hat, with a pearl necklace that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

After walking up the stairs with William placing a hand on her back, Kate gave a ‘perfect’ bow as she greeted the other royals.

But royal fans soon noticed that in an awkward accident, the princess seemed to be ignored, as King Charles happened to turn away while she did so.

It also meant that Prince William, the Emir and his wife had their backs to Kate, and her greeting went completely unnoticed.

On Instagram, a fan wrote: ‘This is what a perfect bow looks like. Princess Catherine is a master at it!’

But others were quick to point out that none of the royals had witnessed it, writing: ‘They weren’t even looking at her.’

Others said: ‘Is it just me or was she making a courtesy call on people who were already walking away?’;

‘She bowed to whom?’; ‘Charles didn’t even acknowledge her. The bow is done in the presence of someone, not while he or she is waking up’;

‘She is neat even when no one is looking’;

“Royal Protocol It just happened that KC just turned away.”

However, another pointed out that it didn’t matter that the king had missed the bow, writing: ‘It was for Charles. And she does it to avoid recognition. It’s showing respect and following protocol.”

The royal wore her hair in a chic and intricate updo as she arrived at the Horse Guards Parade and chose key jewels to mark the important occasion.

She wore the late Queen’s £30,000 Bahrain pearl earrings and her Japanese pearl choker necklace, both of which were also previously worn by Princess Diana.

After fans noticed earlier this fall that the princess’s engagement ring, which once also belonged to Princess Diana, had been replaced with an eternity ring, Kate wore the sapphire stone today.

In a break from her usual suede pumps in a matching color, the princess opted to wear a pair of leather berry boots.

After the ceremonial welcome, Kate traveled to Buckingham Palace to join the royal party for a private lunch, staying to view an exhibition of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection.

However, she missed the glittering State Banquet, where the royals were joined by David and Victoria Beckham.

A royal source described the announcement of Kate’s presence as “good news” as the Princess continues a slow and measured return to public life following the completion of her preventive chemotherapy treatment.

The princess announced in March that she had started treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease following major abdominal surgery in January.

In September she revealed this had now been completed, but warned it would take time and patience before she returns to full-time royal duties.

Now the state visit marks the start of a busier week for Kate, who will hold her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday.

The princess is expected to be joined at the event by her husband Prince William and children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

But Camilla pulled out of the Horse Guards Parade reception on doctor’s advice as she continues to suffer the ‘lingering’ side effects of a ‘nasty viral chest infection’.

The 77-year-old royal, who became ill a month ago, is said to be feeling particularly ‘tired’.

Kate has attended a number of high-profile events over the past eleven months, including Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon, since she essentially retired from public life to focus on her health.

The state visit marked her most important visit to date, as she will play a much more active role in the events and be seen in public for extended periods of time.

Royal watchers will be pleased to hear that Kate is taking another step forward as part of her staggered return to full-time royal duties.

In September she spoke of her “relief” at finally completing her chemotherapy treatment, but emphasized that the past nine months had been “incredibly tough” for them as a family.

She was first admitted to hospital in January for what was only described as major abdominal surgery.

But then doctors found evidence that cancer was present and recommended a course of preventive chemotherapy.

The couple chose to keep the news private for several weeks to process the news and protect their children, before the princess bravely went public with her diagnosis in March.

Speaking about the ‘complex, frightening and unpredictable nature’ of cancer journeys, Catherine recently said that doing what she could to ‘stay cancer-free is now my focus’ and stressed that her path to full recovery would be ‘long’.

The princess said she would make a few more public engagements in the coming months if she could, but emphasized that her focus would remain on her continued recovery and her young family.