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Kate Middleton’s curtsy to Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said at Windsor Castle caught people’s attention. But it was Prince William’s more casual greeting that stood out to body language expert Judi James. 

On Tuesday, October 20, Middleton and William joined King Charles III and Queen Camilla to welcome the 71-year-old Sultan to the U.K. After greeting Charles and Camilla, the Sultan turned to Middleton. She took his hand and dipped into a deep curtsy.  

William, on the other hand, simply gave the Sultan a pat on the arm. Speaking to The Mirror US, James said, “In a small comedy note, after this utterly delightful, perfect curtsey, which is a very old-fashioned greeting ritual, William just walks up and pats the same man on the arm in a more casual and ‘chummy’ gesture.” 

She praised Middleton’s “formidable muscle power and confidence.” She added that Middleton “performs a curtsey so impeccable it could challenge anything created by AI.” 

James also noted, “First she fixes her facial expression and eye gaze, composing most of the emotional side of her greeting by using eye contact and a Duchenne smile. No features shift from this look as she then performs her curtsey. She somehow appears to do it without her head dropping down along with her body.”

James then praised Middleton for keeping her balance while holding Sultan’s hands. “She holds her visitor’s hands in a light shake, and there is no increased tension or need to use the clasp for balance. She descends, straight-backed, into her curtsey,” she said.

The body language expert continued, “There is no disruptive ripple of any part of her body as she curtsies. She dips down and comes up like an Olympic diver entering the water totally smoothly. Needless to say she is also performing all this in elegant killer heels.” William had traveled separately to greet the Sultan at his London residence on the King’s behalf.

He then accompanied the Sultan to Windsor. Middleton later joined Charles and Camilla for the public welcome. For the occasion, Middleton wore an emerald-green coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. She paired it with a matching hat by Juliette Botterill and velvet Manolo Blahnik heels.

It was the first time in 44 years that an Omani sultan had made a state visit to Britain. The last visit took place in 1982, when Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Sultan Qaboos bin Said. After the welcome, the royals climbed into the horse-drawn carriages and rode through Windsor. Charles and the Sultan shared the Irish State Coach. 

Camilla rode in the Scottish State Coach with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said. William and Middleton traveled in the Australian State Coach with Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said and Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib Al Said. 

At Windsor Castle’s Quadrangle, the national anthems of Oman and the U.K. were played during the ceremonial welcome. Charles and the Sultan inspected the Guard of Honour before watching a military march. The King hosted the Sultan for lunch. A white-tie state banquet followed that evening. 

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