The heartwarming moment when Princess Kate paused during a royal walkabout to take a selfie with a nervous fan has garnered praise online, especially after footage from a significant 2023 appearance resurfaced on TikTok.

Interest in Kate surged in 2024 following her hiatus from public life due to health challenges. Initially undergoing abdominal surgery and subsequently facing a cancer diagnosis requiring chemotherapy, Kate returned to official duties on June 15 at King Charles’ Trooping the Colour birthday celebrations in London.

During her absence, royal enthusiasts turned to social media to reminisce about and share their favorite moments of the princess from previous years.

Posted on TikTok by user @helensmccrory on June 24, the viral footage captured a touching exchange during Kate’s visit to Leeds in January 2023. This visit marked a significant milestone as she launched her “Shaping Us” childhood awareness campaign, a key initiative of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood which she established in 2021.

In the video, a well-wisher nervously asked Kate for a selfie. Responding warmly to his request, Kate reassured him, saying, “Please don’t worry! It’s OK. We all get nervous. Nice to meet you.”

The TikTok video, which also includes highlights of Kate’s recent appearances, has garnered nearly 60,000 likes and over 170 comments, with many praising her kind and compassionate interaction with the fan.

“She’s so beautiful inside and out,” posted another, with a third adding: “She was born to be a queen.”

Users on the platform have drawn parallels between Kate and her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, noting their shared ability to connect with the public on a personal level.

Overall, the resurfaced footage has highlighted Kate’s enduring popularity and her commitment to engaging with the public in a warm and empathetic manner.