When royal families get together

[ldt20]

Are there any rules that royal families follow when they all get together for special ocassions such as weddings and they have to take pictures?

I've noticed that in the front is always the royal family hosting the event and also other royals? Are there rules or etiquette that dictates who must sit in front, back an so on? Do any Royal Families take preference, etc?

[Alexandria]

One protocol is that when royals are "lined up" they are ordered by who has been reigning the longest would enter first.

For example, at a funeral the longest reigning monarch would "head" the procession of royal guests. In most cases it would be QEII if she attended an event. I am not sure what the protocol was exactly when heirs attend in place of their parents -- for example Albert for Prince Ranier and Prince Charles or Prince Phillip for Queen Elizabeth II.

Sometimes the protocol is broken for personal reasons. One recent example I can come up with was that at Prince Claus of the Netherlands' funeral, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were placed before longer reigning monarchs because of their friendship with Queen Beatrix.

I suppose that when there are occasions with royal courts with family members from other royal houses such protocol might also be broken for family ties, such as the Danish or Belgian courts.

I was a bit confused at the Swedish King's 60th birthday when the escorting seemed a bit random: The second gala night there were pictures of Mary on the arms of Willem (with Maxima) and then with Harald (with Sonja) and then her cousin-in-law Nikolaos, and likewise of Victoria being escorted by Phillippe (with Mathilde) and then with her brother and her sister.

[srivishnu]

Here is the picture > Banquet for European crowned heads

[morhange]

All of the ladies look lovely in that photo! The four queens regnant all look simply amazing (of course, Sonja does as well!)

[Lakshmi]

Banquet for European royals, what a great idea. They could organize it more often. I wonder if there are some events of special gatherings for royals besids customary ones like funerals or weddings.

[candygirl_68]

well, i guess for holidays...