Kate Middleton and Prince William Attend Historic Archbishop Service
Prince William and Princess Kate attended a historic church service on Wednesday, March 25, marking the enthronement of Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
This ceremony represents the first time a woman has held the position, and William attended on behalf of his father, King Charles.
The royal couple was welcomed outside Canterbury Cathedral by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain.
She offered a curtsy and shook hands with both William and Kate, as shown on the live stream of the event.
Kate, seated on the side of the car closer to the church entrance, was the first to greet Lady Colgrain, while William made his way around the back of the vehicle.
While William is heir to the throne, he often supports Kate at events where she represents causes or organizations important to her.
Author Sarah Gristwood previously described their marriage as both modern and traditional.
“In one sense, hers and William’s was a modern royal marriage, in that it was a love match,” Gristwood told PEOPLE.
“But in another, it has been old-fashioned. She mostly appears as a supportive figure to her husband.”
Biographer Penny Junor added that Kate knows her support role yet maintains her own voice. “She’s never trying to outshine him in any way,” Junor said. “I think that Kate is a bit like Prince Philip supporting the Queen. She doesn’t outshine William but still has a lot to say herself.”
There are no formal rules on greeting royals, though traditional etiquette allows men to bow from the neck and women to curtsy.
Kate, who holds the styling Her Royal Highness, curtsies for King Charles and Queen Camilla.
During the recent official welcome ceremony for the Nigerian state visit, she kissed Camilla on both cheeks before performing a curtsy, while William opted for cheek kisses only. At the enthronement, Kate smiled and curtsied to the King, appearing to say, “Good morning!”
The service followed a recent meeting between the royal couple and Archbishop-elect Mullally at Lambeth Palace last month.
Mullally, who succeeds Justin Welby, said after that meeting, “I know we hold the same hope for a better world, and I look forward to working together in the years to come. I will continue to hold them and their family in my prayers.”
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