Princess Charlene of Monaco drew mixed reactions during a major royal engagement in Madrid on Monday, when she and Prince Albert met King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the Palace of Zarzuela. The visit marked the couple’s first official trip to the Spanish capital, a notable step in relations between Monaco and Spain. Attention quickly shifted to Charlene’s greeting as the four royals began a tour of the Royal Botanical Garden, with some online observers questioning whether her curtsy to both Spanish monarchs followed the expected protocol.
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Princess Charlene’s Greeting Starts Protocol Debate
Debate spread online within hours. Some social media users argued that Charlene, as the consort of a head of state, should not have curtsied to the Spanish king and queen. Others took the opposite view and said the gesture was entirely appropriate because Felipe and Letizia hold the rank of Majesties, while Monaco’s ruling family uses the style of Serene Highness. The disagreement turned a short public moment into a broader discussion about hierarchy, etiquette and the fine details that still shape royal appearances across Europe.
Charlene Once Spoke About Royal Etiquette Struggles
The moment also brought back Charlene’s own comments about how difficult royal rules can be. In a 2019 interview, she admitted that formal customs do not always come naturally. "I address royals incorrectly, or often curtsey to those I shouldn't be curtsying to, or I forget to curtsy," said Princess Charlene according to Daily Mail. That candid remark offered context for the latest reaction in Madrid and showed that protocol has long been one of the more complicated parts of her public role.
Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella Return to View
The discussion came just days after Monaco’s palace shared a new family image for Mother’s Day, showing Charlene embracing her 11-year-old twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques. The photo gave a rare glimpse of the children, who are usually kept away from regular public exposure. Images from the same portrait session had previously been released for their birthday in December. As reported by People, Charlene once said of her children, "They know what they want, they speak very well and understand many things. It’s hard to believe they’re already four."
Monaco’s Young Royals Step Into Public Duties
In recent months, the twins have appeared more often at official occasions, including Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Monaco in March. For that appearance, Charlene and Gabriella wore white under the rare papal custom known as the privilege of the white, reserved for a small group of Catholic queens and princesses. Jacques, though younger by minutes than his sister in practical terms, remains the heir to the throne under Monaco’s male-preference succession rules. Together, the siblings are taking on a more visible place within the royal family as public interest around them grows.
