THEand bodyguard’s Kate Middleton they had their work cut out for them yesterday during the princess’s visit to Wales, made with William on the occasion of the feast of St. David, celebrated on 1 March throughout the United Kingdom to pay homage to the patron saint of the nation who gave the princes their official title. During the long walk among the crowds waiting for them in the street, little girl after little girl insisted on hugging the princess. Who put aside the Royal protocol and reciprocated heartily.
Enough with the protocol: Kate Middleton gives out hugs to children in Wales
It’s not for nothing that they called her the “children’s princess”. In real “Diana” moments, when she is surrounded by little ones, Princess Kate, 44, almost forgets her role, who would like her distant and inaccessible, and always sits next to them. She chats, jokes, plays as if she were one of them. And so he did yesterday.
The necklace placed around Kate’s neck by the little girl who made it
In a touching moment during a visit to a contemporary art gallery in Newtown, seven-year-old Leman Wetti dared even more: she asked to put a necklace made with her own hands around Kate’s neck. And the princess gladly agreed, telling her she would wear it right away. With a smile she even moved her hair with one hand to make the task easier for the little girl, who immediately put her arms around her neck.
A little girl puts a necklace around Kate’s neck, Newton, Wales, February 26, 2026 (Getty Images)
The little girl who didn’t want to leave the princess
During another meeting with the public, a group of children then gave the princess bouquets of flowers, forcing her to bend down several times. And another little girl wanted to hug her for a long time, hiding his face in Kate’s coat who, patient and without ever losing his smile, let her do it.
Another hug to Kate, Newtown, Wales, 26 February 2026 (Getty Images)
William and Kate celebrate Welsh communities
To celebrate St David’s Day, Kate and William wanted to highlight Welsh community spirit by visiting projects focused on supporting the wellbeing of local children and young people. They also traveled to Powys, the county with the highest number of volunteers per capita in the UK, where they met with several groups active in various fields, including sustainability, arts, gardens and well-being.
Kate Middleton doesn’t sign autographs
However, one rule remains in force. Kate Middleton and all the other Windsors never sign autographs. Royal protocol prohibits it fearing that their signature could be forged. For this reason yesterday, approaching a man in the crowd who was asking her for an autograph, the princess was forced to politely decline: “I can’t sign autographs, I’m very sorry”, Middleton told him. “But I can shake your hand,” he added, also granting him a light hug. And then he posed for a selfie next to his fan’s daughter.
