Kate Middleton Just Handled This Major Break in Royal Protocol Like a Total Pro

When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were set to meet King Charles III on behalf of their football club, Wrexham A.F.C., the duo, as seen in their docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, took a class in royal etiquette. There, the two discovered how to greet royals, how to shake hands, how to bow, and so on. And although their preparation for the big day was commendable, and certainly worked out well for them, not everyone has a royal protocol crash course before interacting with a British royal.

In Kate Middleton‘s latest outing, for example, one of the athletes of England’s wheelchair rugby squad totally broke protocols when she visited the Disability Rugby League in East Yorkshire. Luckily for the player, however, the Princess of Wales took it like a pro.

In the moment, shared on a video by Sky News on X (formerly known as Twitter), Middleton was seen talking to one team member while another sneaked behind her and tickled her waist. Clearly surprised, Middleton then jolted around and laughed. The mom of three then patted the player on the back, shook his hand and talked to him as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Looks like she wasn’t bothered at all!

“I think she handled that beautifully,” wrote one X user under the video. “Didn’t she?” another user responded. “It was instinctive, not forced.” “This says a lot about Princess Catherine’s character,” echoed another user. “What a lovely person she is! ❤️”

Watch the moment a cheeky boy tickles the Princess of Wales during her visit to a sports centre for a rugby inclusivity day.

She was in Hull today to join some of England’s World Cup-winning wheelchair rugby league squad.

Read more: https://t.co/8xyWy2cBPY pic.twitter.com/qEb9YlC1EM

— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 5, 2023

Prior to Middleton’s surprise tickle, it was her husband Prince William who surprised her during their latest appearance together. The moment happened as the two visited the visited the Grange Pavilion in Cardiff, Wales, earlier this week.

As everyone gathered for a group photo, William asked the room “Who’s pinching my bottom?” As a result, everyone in the frame, including a surprised Middleton, burst out laughing. Seems like Middleton is prepared for anything these days!

Before you go, click here to see more of Kate Middleton’s best royal fashion moments.