The rules of etiquette surrounding the British royal family — bows, curtsies, and subtle gestures — have once again come under scrutiny, as two recent incidents are compared with a telling moment involving Princess Charlotte.
Charlotte’s Curtsy and Camilla’s Reassurance
At King Charles’s Coronation Concert in Windsor in May 2023, Princess Charlotte attempted to curtsy to her grandfather as he entered the royal box. In doing so, she turned away from Queen Camilla, leaving no chance to offer the same gesture to her step-grandmother.
Camilla, however, quickly eased the awkwardness. As she passed Charlotte, she placed a hand on the young royal’s shoulder, prompting her to smile back. The moment circulated widely, framed both as a small breach of protocol and as an example of Camilla’s effort to reassure a child in the spotlight.
“For a young princess who was definitely up past her bedtime, royal protocol was likely the last thing on her mind,” one commentator observed at the time.
The clip has resurfaced in light of more recent etiquette controversies.
Camilla’s Gesture Toward Kate
Kate thought she was doing something by running Meghan out of the country and now she’s getting scolded by Camilla like a child. pic.twitter.com/K6S5GIu6tG
— Hannah (@queen_meghan14) September 17, 2025
During Donald and Melania Trump’s state visit, cameras caught Queen Camilla gesturing toward Kate Middleton as the Princess of Wales joined a conversation between the Queen, King Charles, and the First Lady. Within seconds, Kate stepped back to stand beside Prince William.
The hand movement sparked debate online. Some saw it as a discreet signal to make room for the approaching carriages; others called it cold or disrespectful. “I get that Catherine tends to talk a lot and the carriages were already approaching,” one viewer wrote, “but still, I feel Camilla could’ve been a bit more discreet.”
The clip reignited discussion about dynamics inside the royal household and public treatment of senior royals.
Melania Trump’s Handshake
The same visit also placed former U.S. First Lady Melania Trump under a microscope. When greeting King Charles and Queen Camilla, she opted for a handshake instead of a curtsy.
Critics accused her of showing “zero class,” while others defended the choice by pointing out America’s republican traditions and the monarchy’s own guidance. The royal family’s official website confirms: “There are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting a member of the Royal Family… a handshake is equally appropriate.”
The Weight of Small Gestures
The King and Queen have arrived!
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been joined by George and Charlotte for the #CoronationConcert pic.twitter.com/12nn0eFnXW
— Belle (@RoyallyBelle_) May 7, 2023
Taken together, Charlotte’s missed curtsy, Kate’s Windsor moment, and Melania Trump’s handshake highlight how these gestures — which carry no legal or formal weight — still fuel public debate.
What may be minor interactions become magnified when royalty is involved, and for Princess Charlotte, the scrutiny is only just beginning.
“Imagine the pressure of having your every move dissected from childhood,” one viewer noted. “She’ll never be able to do anything without people turning it into a debate.”
