Princess Catherine’s Graceful Double Curtsy Became One Of Garter Day’s Most Talked-About Moments

Jun 25, 2026 by apost team

Princess Catherine’s graceful curtsies have long been a hallmark of royal tradition, but during 2026’s Garter Day ceremony, royal watchers noticed something unusual. The Princess of Wales was seen curtsying not once, but twice to King Charles III and Queen Camilla during the same event at Windsor Castle.

The annual ceremony brought together senior members of the royal family to celebrate the Order of the Garter, Britain’s oldest and most senior order of chivalry. As members of the order processed through the castle grounds in their traditional velvet robes and feathered hats, Catherine joined other royals in watching the proceedings.

One of the day’s most talked-about moments came when King Charles and Queen Camilla passed by the viewing area. As the royal couple approached, Catherine performed a flawless curtsy alongside Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and other family members gathered nearby.

Later, after the service at St. George’s Chapel concluded, Charles and Camilla departed first in a horse-drawn carriage bound for Windsor Castle. As their carriage moved away, Catherine once again dipped into a graceful curtsy, marking her second formal gesture of respect that day.

Despite being one of the most senior women in the royal family, Catherine is still expected to curtsy to the reigning monarch and his wife. The same protocol applies to other members of the family. Prince William, for example, is often seen bowing his head when greeting his father and stepmother.

Royal etiquette experts noted that these formal greetings are generally observed the first time family members meet the King and Queen during official engagements. On other occasions, family interactions can be far less formal, often including hugs, kisses on the cheek, and casual conversation.

But beyond the double curtsy that captured attention, the Garter Day event held a deeper significance for Catherine personally.

For royal fans, Garter Day is more than a centuries-old tradition. It also marks an important chapter in William and Catherine’s own story.

Long before she became the Princess of Wales, Catherine attended the event in 2008 while she was still William’s girlfriend. At the time, William had recently been appointed to the Order of the Garter, and Catherine’s appearance was widely viewed as a significant moment in her gradual introduction to royal life.

Many royal observers saw her attendance as an early sign that she was being welcomed into the family fold. The appearance came years before their engagement announcement and offered one of the clearest indications that their relationship was becoming increasingly serious.

Seventeen years later, Catherine returned to the same event in a very different role. No longer the prince’s girlfriend standing on the sidelines, she is now one of the monarchy’s most visible figures and the future Queen.

The annual celebration itself remains steeped in history. Established by King Edward III in the 14th century and inspired by the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the Order of the Garter remains one of Britain’s most prestigious honors.

Yet amid all the pageantry, there was one detail that quietly connected 2026’s ceremony to another milestone in Catherine’s life.

The Princess of Wales completed her elegant yellow ensemble with a familiar piece of jewelry: the same diamond earrings she wore on her wedding day in April 2011.

The bespoke Robinson Pelham earrings were a gift from her parents and feature oak leaf and acorn motifs inspired by the Middleton family crest. Over the years, they have become one of the most sentimental pieces in her collection.

While Kate’s double curtsy drew attention throughout the day, her decision to revisit a piece of jewelry from one of the most important days of her life may have been the most meaningful royal nod of all.

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Did you notice Princess Catherine’s double curtsy during Garter Day? And what do you think about her wearing the same earrings from her royal wedding more than a decade later? Let us know, and then pass this on to your family, friends, and other royal fans out there!