Queen Elizabeth.Photo: STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty
Would you be ready for a face-to-face encounter withQueen Elizabeth?
The monarchy has largely adapted to modern times and many people opt to greet the Queen,Prince Charles,Prince William,Kate Middletonand other members of the royal family without much pomp — in fact, the British royal family’sofficial websitestates that “there are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family.” Still, there is a traditional form that many continue to follow to avoid a royal faux pas.
While it’s perfectly acceptable to simply shake hands when being introduced to a royal, men may opt to do a slight neck bow (from the head only) while women do a small curtsy.
Even royals bow and curtsy to more senior members of the family, and it’s common to see Kate and others do a dip when the Queen arrives at an event.
Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Meghan Markleopened up about her first time meeting the monarch during her March 2021 interview withOprah Winfrey, whenPrince Harryasked if she knew how to curtsy.
Meghan explained, “I thought genuinely that was what happens outside I thought that was part of the fanfare. I didn’t think that was what happens inside. And I said, ‘But it’s your grandmother,’ and he said, ‘It’s the Queen.'”
She continued, “And I met her and apparently I did a very deep curtsy and I don’t remember it.”
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty
During a 2018 event where Prince William and Kate visited the charityCentrepoint, fellow lunch guests weregiven a laminated cardwith a quick run-down of how to interact with the royal couple. The guidelines included that Prince William and Kate would initiate handshakes and a “respectful lowering of the head” was appropriate over a bow or curtsy.
According to attendee Chelsea Jenkins,Prince William"just laughed" about the card.
“He said something about updating it,” she added.
Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson/Getty
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Should your inner royal fan take over and cause you to forget the protocol completely, don’t worry — you won’t be sent to the Tower of London.
“They are lovely,” Hurst told PEOPLE. “I wasn’t sure what they’d be like and what to call them in terms of their titles. I called them ‘Kate’ and ‘Will,’ and they were really relaxed.”
source: people.com
