Kate Middleton and Prince William have royal fans bemused with 'strange' staging
Royal enthusiasts were left scratching their heads over the 'odd' arrangement during the official reception for French President Emmanuel Macron. Upon his arrival in the UK for a three-day state visit, Macron and his spouse Brigitte were welcomed by Prince William and Kate at RAF Northolt.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge then escorted the French dignitaries to Windsor, where they met with King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla for a formal greeting ceremony at Windsor Castle. Following this, Charles and Macron reviewed the Guard of Honour's military display.
As the royals observed the guards on horseback carrying out their ceremonial duties, the setup puzzled many onlookers, as King Charles, Queen Camilla, Macron, and Brigitte stood elevated and sheltered, while Kate and William were positioned to the side.
A spectator highlighted the issue on X, commenting: "Am I the only one who objects to this staging? Who thought it was a good idea to place OUR Prince and Princess of Wales off stage like this? The optics are terrible."
Concurring voices quickly emerged, with one individual remarking: "It doesn't look right," and another concurring: "I agree. Very awkward. They could have been on the stage behind, even would have looked better," reports the Mirror.
One Royal enthusiast drew parallels to a previous state visit, remarking: "It's strange? ! On previous state visits (like the South Korean visit) they were all on the stage were they not?".
Despite the puzzlement, another Royal follower suggested that strict Royal protocol was at play in this scenario, explaining that while the arrangement might seem odd, it was actually quite standard given the circumstances.
They posted on X: "In royal protocol, the primary hosts and highest-ranking individuals usually take centre stage during official events. In this instance, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, along with President Macron and his wife, are seated under the awning because they are the principal figures in the state visit-the monarch and head of state hosting their guest.
"Prince William and Catherine, as the Prince and Princess of Wales, hold significant but slightly junior roles compared to the King and Queen. Standing slightly to the side reflects their supportive role in the ceremony, respecting the precedence of the monarch and the visiting head of state.
"William and Catherine played primary roles in welcoming President Macron and his wife at the airport, working together in support of the main hosts. This arrangement follows strict royal protocol, emphasising hierarchy and the importance of roles during formal occasions. It's perfectly normal."
Last night's French state visit culminated in a star-studded Royal banquet at Windsor Castle, marking Princess Kate's return to these grand affairs after two years. Donning the legendary Lover's Knot tiara and a captivating red gown with caped back detailing by Sarah Burton for Givenchy, she joined the King, Queen Consort, Prince William, and around 160 guests for the white-tie dinner – the dazzling focal point of the French delegation's UK trip.
Eager to share a glimpse of the evening, William and Kate posted an enchanting snapshot on their social media platforms ahead of the event, teasing fans with the caption: "Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor."
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