Iranian athlete refuses to shake Kate Middleton's hand at Paralympic ceremony

Kate Middleton could have been left red-faced as an Iranian athlete refused to shake her hand at medal ceremony

An Iranian athlete refused to shake hands with Kate Middleton as she presented him with a silver medal for disus at the Paralympics.

On being given the Paralympic medal in front of a packed Olympic Stadium Mehrdad Karam Zadeh simply clutched his prize to his chest rather then shaking hands with the Duchess of Cambridge.

KATE MIDDLETON AT THE PARALYMPICS 2012

But rather than snubbing Kate, the athlete was simply conforming to Iranian tradition which forbids men from shaking hands with women who aren't related to them. 

The Islamic tradition could have left Kate hanging but according to a representative, the Duchess had been briefed ahead of the ceremony and didn't attempt to shake the athlete's hand.

'Many male athletes from Islamic countries do not shake hands in public with women they are not related to for cultural and religious reasons,' the palace representative told the Mail Online.

The palace added Kate was 'honoured' to get the chance to present the medals, particularly to a British champion in Davies.

Team GB's Aled Davies won gold for the discus, while Chinesen Lezheng Wang was presented with the bronze medal by Kate Middleton.

KATE MIDDLETON SMARTENS UP TO AWARD MEDALS AT THE PARALYMPICS

IN PICTURES: THE LONDON PARALYMPICS

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