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- According to the royal family's official website, "there are no obligatory codes of behaviour" when meeting the sovereign or other royal family members. Still, the website notes that people still "wish to observe the traditional forms." For men, this means a neck bow (or bowing the head only), while women traditionally curtsy.
www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a43604344/british-royal-family-bows-curtsy-rules/All the Rules on Bows and Curtsies for the British Royal Family
Sep 3, 2024 · There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms. For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.
Apr 19, 2023 · At public engagements, it's not uncommon see royals greet each other with a bow or a curtsy. These greetings, however, often depend on a royal's rank. All royals are...
- Digital Associate Editor
- 3 min
Mar 30, 2023 · All family members bow or curtsy to the king during their first meeting of the day (they can forgo these gestures if they run into each other again later in the day), and even in private, royals routinely bow or curtsy to higher-ranking relatives.
Mar 14, 2023 · When Prince William and Kate — or other members of the royal family — don't bow or curtsy to greet the King and Queen Consort, there's likely a practical reason why: they've probably...
- Stephanie Petit
- Overview
- Greetings
- Behavior
There’s basic social etiquette, and then there’s royalty. While it can be a challenge at the best of times knowing just how to interact with someone you’ve never met before, when it comes to royalty, the rules can be pretty specific. (No, you won’t be arrested for forgetting to curtsy, but you may stand out like a sore thumb if you don’t!) To make your royal interactions go smoothly should you ever have a chance to meet Prince William or another member of the royal family, keep reading: we’ve got everything you need to know about how to interact with royalty so you can be prepared if the opportunity arises.
Stand when royalty enters the room, and wait for them to sit before being seated.
If you are a citizen of the royalty, bow or curtsy to show respect. If you are not a citizen, you may bow or curtsy if you wish, but you are not expected to.
Keep your conversation polite and impersonal. Don't refer to any royal scandals you may have heard about or anything you may have read in a tabloid.
Stand when they enter the room.
This is one of the most important things you can do to show your respect for royalty. It's no biggie to sit and chill while you're waiting for royalty to enter a room, but be sure to rise as soon as you see them walk through that door. If you happen to be somewhere in public, perhaps sitting in a park, when royalty walks by, be sure to scramble to your feet in that situation as well.
Stay standing as long as all royalty is standing unless you are directed to sit down. For example, if you are going to be having dinner, wait until all the royalty is seated before you pop a squat.
If you're unable to stand, remain seated, but be sure to devote your attention to the royal when they enter the room, and bow your head to show respect.
Bow or curtsy if you are a subject of the royalty.
If you're a citizen of the country where the person is royalty, show your fealty by bowing or curtsying. If you're a man, give a slight nod of their head, but don't bow with your whole body. Women, give a brief curtsy. If you are not a citizen of the royalty’s country, you don’t need to bow or curtsy because they are not your head of state (but it would be polite).
Don’t say “pleased to meet you.”
Turns out, this is a big faux pas! If you're meeting royalty, etiquette says it is a given that you're pleased to meet them, as it is an honor. Therefore, saying “pleased to meet you” is unnecessary. Royalty may not necessarily be offended by you saying this, but you may come off a little foolish. We're saving you from a lot of embarrassment, here!
The best alternative is to simply say “Hello,” or you can use the widely accepted “How do you do?” Definitely avoid overly casual greetings like "What's up?" or "What's shakin', Your Majesty?"
The general rule is that you do not touch royalty, except in some circumstances when they initiate it. If a member of royalty reaches a hand out for a handshake, grip it briefly and gently. Never give a tight squeeze or a hard shake. Further, never go in for a hug or kiss on the cheek or hand. This type of physical affection with royalty is bad form.
Nov 10, 2023 · Do you bow or curtsy when you meet a royal? It depends on where you are from. If you live in the United Kingdom, it is not mandatory, but the formal greeting for a royal is a bow or curtsy, depending on your preference.
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Curtsy/bow. There is no mandatory code of conduct when meeting The King and other members of the Royal Family, but some people wish to observe the traditional forms, which are: Men: a neck bow – just a little more than a nod of the head. Women: a small curtsy, where the right foot is placed behind the left heel, and the knees bend slightly.
