Princess Kate's Rare Faux Pas in Italy Reminds Fans of Camilla's Quiet Struggle on US Tour — Watch
Kate Middleton stepped outside her comfort zone when she placed her $4,000 handbag on the floor while speaking to children in Italy.
It is hard to imagine Kate Middleton committing a faux pas, given her reputation for impeccable public etiquette. But, as human as she is, during her visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, on May 13, she briefly stepped outside her comfort zone. While bending down to speak with children, she placed her $4,000 handbag on the floor, an act that etiquette experts regard as unlucky and improper. Interestingly, Queen Camilla has faced similar scrutiny, having done the same during King Charles's address to the US Congress for a humble reason.
As reported by HELLO!, the Princess of Wales had just finished a meeting when she spotted a crowd waiting to see her. At some point, she bent down in her sky-high heels to ensure that she could look the children in the eye. However, it was how she handled her blue Asprey handbag that raised some eyebrows. She placed it on the ground, allowing her to speak more freely and use both hands. But many etiquette experts considered this to be a 'taboo move,' as placing a handbag on the floor is sometimes considered unlucky or dirty.
Later in the day, Middleton was spotted without her handbag as she handed it over to her assistant. Her etiquette slip placed her in the same boat as Camilla, who did something similar two weeks ago. Ahead of Charles's Congress address, she could be seen pondering before leaving her bag on the floor to keep it out of view from the cameras and keep the focus on her husband. According to etiquette expert Alison M. Cheperdak, the Queen's smart move not to place the handbag on the chair instead was a 'game-time decision.' She also believed it was an 'oversight' on behalf of royal staff, who should have considered these arrangements prior. Watch the video here!
After Camilla's move went viral, Instagram users praised her humble approach. A netizen opined, "I think it shows humility that she put it on the floor. It would have been distracting on the table." Another argued, "I would have done that. It's not a wedding reception; they're working and would have been rude to hold it." As the comments poured in, a royal watcher observed, "Why didn't she put it in the chair that's right behind her? Or just hold it? I feel like QE2 just held her purse. As an Asian person, never on the floor. But also, who in the hosting staff position didn't make sure this was taken care of?"
As for Middleton's awkward missteps, this isn't the first time she has stepped outside her comfort zone. She nearly faced a fashion mishap during her public appearance at Canterbury Cathedral alongside Prince William back in April. Right as the couple was leaving the venue, strong winds almost disrupted her look, leaving her large Juliette Botterill Millinery houndstooth straw boater headpiece tumbling as she tried to secure it. Securing it appropriately could likely have helped her keep it firm despite strong winds.
