Royal fans think Prince William suffered an awkward moment during a state banquet for Emmanuel Macron - but here's what really happened

Daily Mail​

11-07-2025

Prince William appeared to suffer an awkward moment as he sat down prematurely during a standing ovation at Emmanuel Macron 's state dinner, however, it's not all it seems.
A clip of the future king, which is being shared widely among royal fans, shows him clapping alongside attendees at the state banquet - including French president Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
In the clip, William sits down and as the others continued standing, with the Prince looking side-to-side seemingly to check if anyone else was sitting.
However, the unedited video of the banquet was posted on the Royal Family 's YouTube channel and showed William wasn't the only one who sat down earlier than other attendees.
It appeared he was following his father, King Charles 's cue as the monarch and his heir both took their assigned seats opposite each other - while other members of the Royal Family – including the Princess of Wales – and their guests continued standing for a duration of time.
Nonetheless, the short clip left royal fans delighted as they came up with possible explanations for the gaffe, as one person theorised William was simply 'tired' after a long day of royal engagements as part of the three-day state visit.
Another shared that the clip brought back memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II scolding her grandson during Trooping The Colour festivities in 2016.
Footage of the Royal Family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the RAF flypast showed the monarch telling the then-Duke of Cambridge to stand up as he crouched to tend to his firstborn, Prince George - then just shy of three.
Royal fans were in stitches over the awkward moment, with X users defending the future King after he appeared to take his seat at the table a few seconds before his VIP guests
Close examination of the moment appears to show the monarch saying: 'Stand up William.'
In any case her meaning was perfectly clear from her hand gestures.
She tapped William on the shoulder and then made an upward motion with her right hand in case he hadn't got the message.
William, then 33, rose to his feet, looking rather sheepish over the public telling off from his 90-year-old grandmother.
The Windsor Castle reception in honour of the French president and First Lady marked Kate Middleton 's royal return to duties as she attended her first State Banquet in over 18 months.
The last state banquet she attended was in November 2023 for the South Korean State Visit.
Little more than a month later she underwent major abdominal surgery after which she was diagnosed with cancer and had preventative chemotherapy.
She did not take part in the Japanese State Visit in June, and only attended events during first day of the Qatari visit last December.
Making a glamorous entrance, the Prince and Princess of Wales were among the British Royal Family members in attendance - with Kate looking elegant as ever in a dark red silk creponne gathered evening gown, with caped back detailing, designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy.
And she displayed the Rosette of Grand Officier l'ordre nationale du merité and - for the first time - the Royal Family Order of King Charles III with the Order of Elizabeth II and the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, with a GCVO sash and star.
She accessorised it with a Lily of the Valley embroidered evening clutch and opted for a Lover's Knot Tiara - a known favourite of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
The mother-of-three, 43, who wore her chestnut tresses down in styles waves, was accompanied by her husband Prince William, 43, who was dapper in a tuxedo, adorned with a series of Orders and medals.
She and Macron had been seen bonding after clinking glasses during the festivities.
Earlier in the day, Kate, 43, joined Prince William to greet their guests at RAF Northolt in west London, undertaking the role on behalf of King Charles, before travelling by car to Windsor Castle.
The mother-of-three paid tribute to French designers in a timeless, blush pink Dior outfit that she accessorised with a hat by Jess Collett, Princess Diana's earrings and a pearl necklace from the late Queen's collection.
After arriving at Windsor, the prince and princess were seen putting on a very affectionate display, with William offering a gentlemanly hand to help his wife down the steps.
In a charming speech, peppered with French, King Charles referenced how Windsor Castle had been built by 'my ancestor - and your sometime countryman - William, Duke of Normandy', with a tactful reference to the fact that he had just taken over the country by conquest
As they attended the ceremonial welcome at Datchet Road, the couple chatted freely, with Kate placing her hand on William's back.
And, in images that contrasted starkly to Mrs Macron's snub of her husband as she refused his hand while disembarking their jet, the Princess of Wales looked lovingly into her husband's eyes during the formal proceedings.
Speaking to MailOnline, body language expert Judi James said that where Brigitte appeared to 'reject and even ignore' her husband, the Waleses showed a 'pitch-perfect example' of formal etiquette and affection.
Judi said: 'It's made very clear via some role-modelling that she's not adhering to any UK cultural norms by refusing her husband's hand.
'William and Kate performed a pitch-perfect example of how to perform the ritual when William held his hand out as Kate descended some steps and she placed her hand in his in an act of smoothly-choreographed affection and compliance.'