Kate Middleton's rare 5-word comment about father-in-law King Charles caught on camera – watch

The Princess of Wales praised the King's paintings in a sweet moment during the State Visit on Tuesday. 

Catherine, 44, joined her husband, Prince William, and her father-in-law, King Charles, to show the Sultan of Oman a special exhibition in the Green Drawing Room after lunch in Windsor Castle.

For the first time, the King’s own paintings were on show in a Royal Collection display during a state visit hosted by Charles.

The two watercolours were painted in Oman when he was Prince of Wales in 1995, and are titled Barren Landscape, The Escarpment – Jiddat al-Harasis and Mountainous Desert Landscape, Wadi Mu’aydin From Sayq.

Kate, wearing a long-sleeved green dress from Norma Kamali with a wraparound leather-style belt in a matching colour, paid her father-in-law a public compliment, telling one guest: "These were painted by His Majesty. He’s a very good watercolourist."

The Princess also pointed out works by tour artists who accompanied the King on his trips to Oman, saying: "His Majesty, when he goes on different tours, will take an artist to come with him."

Charles, who is known to be a keen artist, gave a chuckle as he pointed out his work to the Sultan: "These are two of my own paintings." Describing his process, the King remarked how he had to be "very quick".

Also among the exhibits was a tiara sent by Sayyid Sa’id, Sultan of the Omani Empire from 1806 to 1856, to Queen Victoria in 1838 as a coronation gift. 

King Charles and Catherine's close bond

The Princess of Wales, who married the future King William in 2011, has always had a close bond with her father-in-law.

During her engagement interview, Catherine recalled: "I was quite nervous about meeting William's father, but he was very, very welcoming, very friendly; it couldn't have gone easier really for me."

The pair also shared a deep connection following their respective cancer diagnoses in early 2024, offering steadfast support to one another.

Their close bond has continued, and Catherine was seen giving Charles a warm kiss on the cheek in greeting at the Duchess of Kent's funeral in September 2025.

As discussed on Wednesday, art is something they also have in common, as the Princess studied History of Art at the University of St Andrews.

Charles, 77, is secretly a talented artist and has reportedly made £2 million from sales of his paintings over the years.

State visit gifts explained 

As is tradition, the King and the Sultan exchanged gifts, showcasing mutual respect and goodwill between their nations. 

Camilla and Charles gifted the Sultan a Mamluk-style Brass Box with engravings by graduates of the King's Foundation School of Traditional Arts, dual cypher cufflinks, and a joint photo of their Majesties in a silver photo frame, engraved with their joint cypher. 

In return, the Sultan gifted the King a painting, a traditional Omani ceremonial sword, and an ornate framed photograph from the King’s 2016 visit to Oman. He also gifted Camilla a vase.

On Tuesday, Prince William greeted the Sultan at the Omani's ruler's London residence, before travelling with him to Windsor for the official welcome by the royal family. 

In the evening, the royals hosted a lavish state banquet at the Castle, with the Princess of Wales pairing a yellow Elie Saab gown with her go-to Lover's Knot tiara.