The Princess of Wales returned to public duties yesterday with elegance and glamour as she offered King Charles a deep curtsy during the welcome for the Qatar state visit. 

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, on Horse Guards Parade in London for a ceremonial welcome. 

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

After walking up the stairs while William placed a hand on her back, Kate dropped into a ‘perfect’ curtsy as she greeted the other royals.

But royal fans were quick to notice that the princess appeared to be ignored in an awkward mishap, as King Charles happened to turn away as 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. 

Taking to Instagram, one fan wrote: ‘This is how a perfect curtsy looks like. Princess Catherine is a master of it!’

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

This is the awkward moment senior royals appeared to ‘ignore’ Kate’s curtsy as she arrived at the Horse Guards Parade in London yesterday

Others said: ‘Is it just me or did she curtesy to people who were already walking away?’;

‘She curtseyed to whom?’; ‘Charles didn’t even acknowledge her. The curtsey is done in front of someone, not as they’re waking away’;

‘She is proper, even when no one is looking’; 

‘Royal protocol It just happened that KC was just turning away.’

However, another pointed out that it didn’t matter that the King has missed the curtsy, writing: ‘It was to Charles. And she does it not to receive acknowledgement. It’s to show respect and follow protocol.’

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

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

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fans noticed earlier in the autumn that the Princess’s engagement ring, which also once belonged to Princess Diana, had been replaced by an eternity ring, Kate wore the sapphire stone today.

King Charles had greeted Kate and Prince William, but unfortunately turned away just as Kate performed the curtsy

The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade

Royal fans were quick to notice that King Charles had apparently ignored Kate’s curtsy

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

After the ceremonial welcome, Kate travelled to Buckingham Palace to join the royal party for a private lunch, staying to view a display 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 attendance as ‘good news’ as the Princess continues with her a slow and measured return to public life after the completion of her preventative chemotherapy treatment.

The Princess announced in March that she had embarked on a course of treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease after major abdominal surgery in January.

In September she revealed that this had now been completed but warned that it would take time and patience for her to return to full-time royal duties.

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

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

The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade yesterday

Kate and Prince William laugh with Sheikha Jawaher at Horse Guards Parade

Kate, Prince William and King Charles III at the welcome for Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, at Horse Guards Parade today

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace during the state visit

The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace 

King Charles III arrives at Buckingham Palace with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher, following the ceremonial welcome

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace during the state visit

But Camilla pulled out of the welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctor’s advice because she is still suffering from the ‘lingering’ side-effects of a ‘nasty viral chest infection’.

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

Kate has attended a number of high profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon over the last 11 months since she effectively withdrew from public life to focus on her health.

The state visit marked her most significant so far given that she will be playing a far more active role in events and be seen in public for a lengthy period of time.

Royal-watchers will be delighted at the news that Kate is taking a further step forward as part of her staggered return to full-time royal duties.

In September she spoke of her ‘relief’ at having finally completed her chemotherapy treatment, but stressed that the last nine months had been ‘incredibly tough’ for them as a family.

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

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace during the state visit

However afterwards doctors found evidence that cancer had been present and recommended a course of preventative chemotherapy.

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

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

The Princess said she would undertake a few more public engagements in the coming months when she could but stressed that her focus would remain on her continued recovery and her young family.