Bowing and Curtseying

[Dman]

Originally Posted by Dalriada

I don’t think any other news organisation has covered this as extensively as the DM with over 100 photos including the very dramatic photo of a big deep deep curtsey of welcome from what seems a John Lewis partner (not called an employee!) which is at odds with the company’s egalitarian ethos and as one commentator put it:
“I used to be a proper royalist but an elderly woman curtseying to someone who's husband is sixth in line to the throne is just wrong on so many levels in the 21st century. Starting to turn republican I think.”

Perhaps someone should tell the older commentator that it’s not mandatory for anyone to curtsy to senior royals. It’s all down to personal preference.

[Dalriada]

Originally Posted by Dman

Perhaps someone should tell the older commentator that it’s not mandatory for anyone to curtsy to senior royals. It’s all down to personal preference.

There lies the cultural divergence of age and deference to monarchy during upbringing. Just because royal protocol says it is all voluntary nowadays does not completely exonerate the misplaced guilt attached to older generations’s own perceived duty to bend and bend down further on knee.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Dalriada

I don’t think any other news organisation has covered this as extensively as the DM with over 100 photos including the very dramatic photo of a big deep deep curtsey of welcome from what seems a John Lewis partner (not called an employee!) which is at odds with the company’s egalitarian ethos and as one commentator put it:
“I used to be a proper royalist but an elderly woman curtseying to someone who's husband is sixth in line to the throne is just wrong on so many levels in the 21st century. Starting to turn republican I think.”

The commentator doesn't have to curtsy to Meghan if they choose not to do so.

The not-so-very-old woman (definitely NOT elderly!) really only gave a slight courtesy curtsy as she shook Meghan's hand. No different than many others do when greeting a royal. I don't get the outrage.

Originally Posted by Dalriada

There lies the cultural divergence of age and deference to monarchy during upbringing. Just because royal protocol says it is all voluntary nowadays does not completely exonerate the misplaced guilt attached to older generations’s own perceived duty to bend and bend down further on knee.

Oh good grief. The outrage on behalf of an executive from John Lewis & Partners (that's the company's name) for giving a slight curtsy to Meghan is pretty funny.

[Dalriada]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

The commentator doesn't have to curtsy to Meghan if they choose not to do so.

The not-so-very-old woman (definitely NOT elderly!) really only gave a slight courtesy curtsy as she shook Meghan's hand. No different than many others do when greeting a royal. I don't get the outrage.



Oh good grief. The outrage on behalf of an executive from John Lewis for giving a slight curtsy to Meghan is
pretty funny.

Deep deep as deep can be! Just like our own prime minister’s curtsy which was heavily criticised who actually had a role and a duty to serve. I ask posters to study the DM photo of the deep curtsey.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Dalriada

Deep deep as deep can be! Just like our own prime minister’s curtsy which was heavily criticised who actually had a role and a duty to serve. I ask posters to study the DM photo of the deep curtsey.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/09...8303053016.jpg

Eye of the beholder...

[Pranter]

Looks like a normal curtesy to me ...video would probably clarify things. Certainly not the deep type we see given to the Queen etc.



LaRae

[ACO]

Here is a video. It looked like a pretty normal one to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGUOJJ7uG2o

[Duchessblack]

It did not seem that deep to me either. But as was said above, its all in the eye of the beholder.

[Dman]

It was a nice respectable ‘bob’ and that’s perfectly fine. The royals don’t judge you based on whether you give them a curtsy or not. Some choose to give a curtsy (deep or not) when they greet a senior royal and some choose to not give a curtsy at all. It’s all perfectly fine.

[Durham]

Originally Posted by Dman

It was a nice respectable ‘bob’ and that’s perfectly fine. The royals don’t judge you based on whether you give them a curtsy or not. Some choose to give a curtsy (deep or not) when they greet a senior royal and some choose to not give a curtsy at all. It’s all perfectly fine.

This reminds me of that wonderful line from the film The Queen:

"I don't measure the depth of a curtsy I leave that to my sister"

I must admit I don't like it when people don't greet the monarch in the traditional manner but as for the rest I have no opinion either way.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by ACO

Here is a video. It looked like a pretty normal one to me.

Yes, just a little dip.

[VictoriaB]

I found this interview with Alistair Bruce who is historical adviser on Downton Abbey (and equerry to the Earl of Wessex). Towards the end of the article he talks about curtseying and the difference between a "housemaid's bob" and a real curtsey.

Apparently, Lady Susan Hussey has one of the best curtseys.

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/le...-royal-family/

[SLV]

Thank you for posting. It was very interesting to read.
I haven't seen the series, or the film. Perhaps one day, when I have time and energy left in the evenings.

[MissPeach77]

I have read that as Duchess, Kate has to bow to blood born princesses (ex. Eugenie and Beatrice), but when she becomes Queen Consort will they have to then bow to Kate?

[MissPeach77]

Originally Posted by zarzuela

Not only Americans, but also people from all other countries are not required to bow to anyone. There is no international law that punishes people who don't bow to royals.

An American may bow if he or she wants to, but this choice is available to all the people of the world.

Is there a law that punishes people in the UK for not bowing to the Queen?

[JR76]

Originally Posted by MissPeach77

Is there a law that punishes people in the UK for not bowing to the Queen?

No, there isn't.

[Mey]

Originally Posted by MissPeach77

I have read that as Duchess, Kate has to bow to blood born princesses (ex. Eugenie and Beatrice), but when she becomes Queen Consort will they have to then bow to Kate?

Yes. She will be the top woman of the court.

[Dman]

Originally Posted by MissPeach77

I have read that as Duchess, Kate has to bow to blood born princesses (ex. Eugenie and Beatrice), but when she becomes Queen Consort will they have to then bow to Kate?

When Catherine becomes Queen Consort (yes) Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will curtsy to Catherine.

The young royals don’t bow and curtsy to each other.

[Osipi]

To add to Dman's response, its also good to know that actually bowing and curtsying is a choice and not a requirement. This applies to the general public.

If you see all the royals gathered at an event and see some bowing and curtsying to the Queen and some of them not, the chances are the the ones that refrain from curtsying to the Queen in public saw her earlier and did it then. The rule of thumb for a royal family member is one does a curtsy the first time they see the Queen and they're good for the rest of the day. So if William and Kate went to Balmoral (or were staying there), they most likely have seen the Queen at home and not at the arrival of a church service. If Charles and Camilla were staying at Birkhall (on the Balmoral estate) and came from there to the church, it would be the first time of the day they saw her and would pay their respects outside of the church.

[An Ard Ri]

Well there's an old saying not to believe everything you read and I always ignore articles that read 'Duchess Kate' as there's no such person,I know I'm too picky