Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2017.Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Just as public citizens do whenmeeting a royal, it’s common to see members of the family showing respect while greeting each other — men bow their heads while women dip into a curtsy. However, there are a few rules involved depending on rank.
AfterQueen Elizabeth’s death in September, her eldest son immediately acceded to the throne asHis Majesty King Charlesalongside his wife, Her Majesty the Queen Consort (also known asQueen Camilla). All members of the royal family, including those with His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) titles, bow or curtsy to the monarch and his wife when greeting them for the first time in a while — even his children!
Prince William, who became the Prince of Wales as heir to the throne, has been spotting bowing his head to greet his father and stepmother. Likewise, King Charles' daughter-in-lawKate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, dips into a curtsy to greet the monarch,as seen at her Christmas carol concertin December.
Kate Middleton and Prince William with Queen Elizabeth.Samir Hussein/WireImage
WhenPrince Williamand 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 already seen each other that day. They’re also seen greeting each other with kisses on the cheeks or hugs.
And the rule for greeting the monarch with a bow or bend applies even on a royal bride or royal groom’s wedding day! From then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana to Prince William and Kate to Prince Harry andMeghan Markle, they all stopped on their wedding day to greet Queen Elizabeth with a bow or curtsy.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Such a formal greeting to a family membercame as a surprise to Meghanwhen she was datingPrince Harry. Recalling meetingQueen Elizabethfor the first time during their Netflix showHarry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex explained, “I remember we were in the car and we were driving up and he’s like, ‘You know how to curtsy, right?’ And I just thought it was a joke.”
“How do you explain that to people? How do you explain that you bow to your grandmother and that you would need to curtsy? Especially to an American. That’s weird,” Harry said.
Kate Middleton and Camilla curtsy to Queen Elizabeth in 2016.MATT DUNHAM/AFP via Getty Images
However, this doesn’t change who they will bow and curtsy to — or who they will receive bows and curtsies from. That’s because they already had HRH titles.
But what about all the royals with HRH titles?
“The general rule of thumb to remember is that a Royal Highness does not curtsy to another Royal Highness,“Myka Meier, an etiquette expert and the author of the bookModern Etiquette Made Easy, tells PEOPLE. “Therefore, while the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will still have to curtsy to His Majesty King Charles and Her Majesty The Queen Consort, they will not have to curtsy any of the blood princes or princesses or those who have married one.”
It’s also unclear if Meghan andPrince Harry’s children, Prince Archie andPrincess Lilibet, will use HRH titles. They became a prince and princess when their grandfather King Charles acceded the throne and their titles were recentlyreflected on the royal family website, but there has been no announcement made regarding their HRH status. Meghan andPrince Harryformally retained their HRH stylesafter they stepped back from their working royal roles, but they do not actively use them.
Even at 7,Princess Charlotteis an expert at royal protocol. On top ofshowing off her curtsyto Queen Elizabeth at events, she helped out big brotherPrince Georgeat their great-grandmother’s funeral in September 2022. While members of the royal family waited forQueen Elizabeth’s coffinto go past them at Wellington Arch, Charlotte was seen telling George, “You need to bow.” As she gives the instruction, thesecond in line for the thronelistened intently.
Royals bow and curtsy at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.Karwai Tang/WireImage
The monarchy has largely adapted to modern times and many people opt to greetKing Charles,Prince William, Princess Kate and other members of the royal family without much pomp — in fact, the British royal family’sofficial website(which hasn’t been fully updated since the death ofQueen Elizabeth) states 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: men may opt to do a slight neck bow (from the head only) while women do a small curtsy, although a handshake is also acceptable.
If an American meets a royal, they technically do not have to curtsy or bow because that it’s not a custom, Meier explains. Instead, they could choose to simply shake hands to show respect.
“That being said, many Americans still choose to observe a traditional British greeting of a bow or curtsy,” she says. “Either option is fine and deemed appropriate.”
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As for which female member of the royal family has the best curtsy, Meier has a top pick.
Myka Meierteaches royal etiquette and offers themost advanced etiquette and protocol course in the world, aimed at those wanting to be trainers or those who want the most extensive training.
source: people.com
