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.”
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