The Princess of Wales had a heartwarming interaction with royal photographers during the Commonwealth Day service yesterday.

At 44, Kate was in attendance at Westminster Abbey with other key members of the Royal Family, including 43-year-old Prince William. This marked the largest gathering of senior royals since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.

A particularly charming moment unfolded when Kate recognized a photographer across from her, capturing the attention of royal enthusiasts.

In the video clip, the mother of three is seen next to William, perusing the service program, when she makes eye contact with the photographer.

Kate then shared a warm smile and appeared to mouth a friendly ‘Hello’ to them.

This moment has charmed fans, prompting many to express their delight on X. One user commented: ‘This is the most wholesome royal moment.’

A second said: ‘I love her approach! No posing, no fake coy glances. Just a sincere smile and a mouthed greeting!’ A third added: ‘Class act at its finest.’

Kate lit up yesterday’s grey skies in a cobalt coatdress from one of her favourite designers, Catherine Walker, at the service.

The Princess of Wales made eye contact with a royal photographer at yesterday’s Commonwealth Day service

The collared gown, which accentuated her silhouette and featured a pleated skirt, was teamed with a sophisticated felt Sean Barrett hat, worn by the future Queen for the 2023 event as well.

She also appeared to be re-wearing her beloved Gianvito Rossi pumps in navy suede, currently retailing online for £650.

The mother of three carried a £295 bag from Strathberry, and around her neck opted for a stunning vintage faux pearl necklace from luxury jeweller Susan Caplan, a piece she has often reached for in recent months.

Susan Caplan is globally revered in the world of jewellery, and the 80s vintage design donned by the Princess will be ‘back in stock soon’, according to the site.

The piece is listed for £275 and is described as a ‘rhodium plated five row pearl strand necklace’.

The description added that it ‘features luminous faux pearls in graduating sizes’ and ‘closes with an embellished Swarovski crystal clasp, weighted extension chain and hook’.

And in a sweet homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Kate wore a stunning pair of Bahrain pearl drop earrings that once belonged to the monarch and had been in the royals’ collection for decades.

When Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten in 1947, she was gifted a treasure trove of jewels – among these was a set of seven pearls, presented in a shell by the Hakim of Bahrain.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are seen arriving at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey, London, on Monday

Two of these Bahraini pearls were later fashioned into a new pair of earrings.

The earrings feature round diamond studs, from which hang round and baguette-cut diamonds arranged in a style typical of the late 1940s.

In the early years of her marriage, Princess Elizabeth frequently wore the earrings for gala events and official portraits. But as her jewellery collection grew, the earrings were seen in public less often.

In 1982, Queen Elizabeth lent them to Diana, Princess of Wales, who teamed them with the Lover’s Knot tiara for a banquet at Hampton Court Palace during a state visit from Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus of the Netherlands.

In October 2012, the Queen loaned the earrings to Sophie, then the Countess of Wessex, who wore them for a performance by the Massed Bands and The Band And Bugles Of The Rifles at the Royal Albert Hall.

However, since debuting the earrings on Remembrance Sunday in 2016, Kate has been the exclusive wearer of these earrings.

Kate and William were joined by Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also took time away from the Iran crisis to join dignitaries from around the world, as well as celebrities, in central London this afternoon, including Prince Albert of Monaco, Geri Horner and her husband Christian.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were the last guests to arrive after William and Kate, who were welcomed at the Abbey door by Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster.

Charles’s annual address to the family of nations was included in a special booklet given to the congregation.

He said in his message: ‘Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good…’

The King praised the ‘precious’ Commonwealth, describing it as a forum for ‘honest discussion’ aimed at improving the lives of billions in an ‘increasingly fragmented’ world.

Charles has also used his Commonwealth Day message to highlight how the institution has ‘untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners’.

His words to the 56 member states of the family of nations were released ahead of Monday’s Commonwealth Day service.

Charles, head of the Commonwealth, said in his written message: ‘In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, this voluntary union of free association remains rare and precious – a forum for open and honest discussion and debate to help improve the lives of the nearly three billion people who call our member states home.’