In a significant change following the Queen’s passing, royal protocol now dictates that Princess Anne must show deference to Kate Middleton by curtsying and entering rooms after her.

This adjustment is due to Catherine’s new title as the Princess of Wales, elevating her in the order of precedence within the UK monarchy.

The protocol emphasizes the importance of respect and seniority in determining how individuals enter a room and greet each other with traditional gestures like curtsies or bows.

The first public display of this revised protocol occurred during the joint engagement of Kate Middleton and Princess Anne on April 22.

The royal duo visited the London headquarters of the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

During this event, Kate Middleton, then known as the Duchess of Cambridge, adhered to the protocol by following behind Princess Anne.

At one point, she even stepped back to ensure that Anne entered the room ahead of her.

Royal correspondent Richard Palmer, speaking on the Daily Express Royal Roundup, explained that the order of precedence came into effect because of Anne’s status as a princess by birth, while Kate was not accompanied by her husband, Prince William.

In situations where William is absent, Anne is considered the more senior royal according to the established hierarchy.

The current order of precedence places Camilla, the wife of the sovereign, at the top of the hierarchy.

Consequently, all female members of the royal family are required to curtsy to her and enter events or rooms after her, irrespective of King Charles’s presence.

Camilla’s position as queen consort solidifies her seniority within the family, leaving no royal figure above her in the order of precedence.

Exceptions to this protocol exist, notably during state banquets, where seniority determines the order of entrance, with the most prominent members entering first.

This arrangement means that there are instances where Camilla precedes Catherine or Anne into rooms.

Princess Anne, once deemed a blood princess with inherent seniority over women who married into the family, now holds the seventh position in the royal female hierarchy as per the order of precedence.

Notably, women such as the Princess of Wales and the Queen Consort are no longer obligated to curtsy to Princess Anne, regardless of their husbands’ presence.

This shift reflects the evolving dynamics within the royal family and the emphasis on protocol and hierarchy.