A little girl’s cry of ‘Princess Kate!’ stopped the Princess of Wales mid-conversation at Royal Ascot on Wednesday – and what followed has since melted hearts on social media. Arriving in a carriage alongside Prince William and the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon, Kate was seated in the Royal Box when the young fan, hidden from view, called out. At first the princess missed the shout, but she soon turned, made eye contact and laughed: ‘I can still see you, you know!’ – a response that suggested the shy child had ducked behind a parent. The crowd laughed as Kate turned back to her chat.
The moment, caught on video and posted to a royal family fan account, has attracted nearly 33,000 views on TikTok. The caption praised ‘such a wonderfully gentle touch’ and ‘simple warmth’. Commenters were quick to echo the sentiment: ‘Adorable!!!!! Kate loves children,’ wrote one; another added, ‘She’s so beautiful and kind.’ Many also admired Kate’s daffodil-yellow Roksanda dress, reported to cost £1,095, and butter yellow hat.
“At Royal Ascot, Kate Middleton charmed a shy little girl and shared a tender moment with mother Carole.”
But another image from the day captured a different kind of intimacy – that between Kate and her mother, Carole Middleton. A photograph of the pair beaming together on the balcony of the Royal Box led social media users to reflect on their bond. ‘Look at how she gazes at Catherine,’ one X user wrote. ‘It’s a mum thing. Something that parents of adult kids do.’ Another said: ‘The Middleton family are the type of people you’d instantly feel at ease with. I would love to have a mother-in-law as sweet as Carole.’ Carole, 71, wore a pale pink dress and hat, while Kate’s yellow creation had previously been worn during her and William’s 2022 Caribbean tour – her first Ascot appearance since 2023.
The princess had earlier made a stunning entrance with William, who presented the trophy for the Prince of Wales’ Stakes. Also in the royal box were King Charles and Queen Camilla, whose outfits subtly coordinated – Charles in grey suit and cream waistcoat, Camilla in a floral dress and hat in matching silvery blue. Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, joined them, as did Lady Sarah Chatto, who handed out trophies for The Queen’s Vase. Kate’s mother arrived with her daughter-in-law, financial analyst Alizée Thevenet, adding to a family affair that left royal fans feeling they had glimpsed the warmth behind the titles.