Is Kate Middleton allowed to walk in front of Prince William? What is the royal protocol?

In the illustrious tapestry of British monarchy, every thread is woven with a meticulous attention to tradition, protocol, and the preservation of heritage. Among the many intricate facets of royal etiquette lies the question of precedence – specifically, the positioning of members of the royal family when walking together in public. This subject returned to international scrutiny on Monday as the curious case of Catherine ‘Kate’ Middleton took yet another step, quite literally.

Kate and William visit a farm

The footage, initially shared by tabloid publications The Sun and TMZ, showed the Princess of Wales appearing healthy and in good spirits while out shopping with her husband Prince William. The sighting came after her public absence due to reported abdominal surgery, sparking rumours about her health and wellbeing. The 42-year old’s appearance, without her children, suggested a positive sign of her improving condition, although specific details remain undisclosed, leaving room for continued speculation. And worse than that, social media lit up on the back of the video being released questioning its veracity.

For the moment, I’ll leave the body double accusations aside, and instead focus on another aspect of the footage: the fact that Middleton was walking aside, and in front of, Prince William.

Do royals have an order of walking protocol?

At the heart of this matter lies the established order of precedence, a venerable hierarchy meticulously crafted over centuries of regal tradition. The sovereign sits at its apex, currently King Charles III, and following the monarch is the Prince of Wales, Prince William, heir apparent to the throne. This sequence continues down the line of succession, with seniority and proximity to the throne determining one’s place within the regal pecking order.

Within this structured framework, the positioning of royal couples during public engagements adheres closely to the principles of deference and respect. While the Princess of Wales is indeed a figure of profound significance within the royal family, her placement relative to her husband, Prince William, is subject to the established protocol. Thus, in formal processions or public engagements, it is customary that Kate gracefully follows a step behind. It’s worth remembering that Prince Philip would generally walk two steps behind the Queen, despite him being a blood prince of Denmark and Greece.

All that said, it is the year 2024 and things have moved on somewhat over the decades, with the royal protocol not rigidly immutable but instead possessing a degree of flexibility. Also, rather importantly, the recent farm visit was hardly a formal public engagement, instead just a relaxed husband and wife outing. But that didn’t stop some commentators questioning how comfortable Middleton was striding out slightly ahead of the next in line to the throne, and thus attempting to cast further doubt on the story that just won’t go away.

When is the royal family announcement?

Speculation has been rife since Monday morning regarding a potential statement from the royal family aimed at dispelling uncertainties surrounding Kate Middleton’s absence from public view. The conjecture gained traction following the release of a retouched family photograph for Mother’s Day. However, these rumours have yet to be substantiated.

Traditionally, the royal couple unveils a new photograph to commemorate their children’s birthdays. With Prince Louis set to turn six on 23 April, it’s natural to wonder if Middleton might soon make a public appearance. Acquaintances of the royal couple have been quick to speculate that Middleton could step into the public eye before that date, possibly to address concerns about her well-being.