Queen Elizabeth II: What not to do when meeting her

Created: 04/06/2022, 11:07 am

By: Annemarie Goebbel

Curtsy or bow?

In fact, there is a lot of uncertainty about what to do and what not to do when meeting Queen Elizabeth II or members of the royal family.

LONDON – The monarchy has arrived in the modern age and no royal expects to be greeted with great pomp.

The official website of the British royal family even states that there are no binding rules of conduct when meeting the Queen or a member of the royal family.

In order not to commit a faux pas and to maintain the traditional form, you should still know these rules.

Queen Elizabeth II: What not to do when meeting her

In the year of the Queen's jubilee in 2022, the likelihood of meeting a real royal increases.

The British royal family is planning numerous activities and the royal density on the streets of London should reach its peak at the latest during the celebrations from June 2nd to 5th.

But how do you behave then?

Who can shake hands with the Queen?

Here with the British Ambassador Simon McDonald (symbolic picture).

© Kay Nietfeld/dpa

While it is perfectly correct to shake hands with a member of the royal family when being introduced to them, men can also opt for a slight bow of the head, while women make a small curtsy.

The royals themselves also bow to senior family members, and it is common for Kate (40) to curtsey when she meets Queen Elizabeth II (95) at an event.

Queen Elizabeth II: What not to do when meeting her

If one is lucky enough to meet the monarch, the only acceptable formal address is "Your Majesty"; any further address should be called "Ma'am", pronounced with a short "a".

For male members such as Prince Charles (73), the correct address is first "Your Royal Highness" and then "Sir", analogous to female blue-blooded people it is "Your Royal Highness" and then "Ma'am".

Duchess Meghan curtsies to Queen Elizabeth II after the Christmas service in Norfolk (symbolic image).

© Frank Augstein/dpa

But even those who forget everything there is to think about in their enthusiasm for a meeting of nobility will no longer end up in the Tower of London.

When Prince William, 39, and Kate Middleton were visiting Wales earlier this year, Country Fare Wholefoods and Fine Cheeses' Nicky Hurst met the Cambridges as they passed the Abergavenny Market* cheese stand.

The enthusiastic Welshman later reported to “People” about this encounter.

He wasn't sure what to call her.

"I called them 'Kate' and 'Will' and they were very relaxed."

Still, anyone who meets Queen Elizabeth II is better off calling her "Your Majesty" and not "Lilibet."

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