Is it impolite ?

[FarahJoy]

I you see a queen or a king or any other royal either on the street or at the exit of a church for instance:

is it impolite or even coarse to adress this person and give her or him a little present and/or tell her/him some kind words ?

Because I read in the Etiquette section that "normal" people are not supposed to adress a Royal first...

Thank you in advance for your information !

[Australian]

Interesting question, in my opinion, i think that rule would apply in the olden days and not necesarily in this day and age. I'm not sure though, maybe it is still a valid requirement/rule. I don't think a monarch would find it rude if you pay a compliment to them.

Also, if they are in a public place then they should expectpeople wanting to talk or wave at them really.

[bbb]

good question alto as a Texas it goes against my grain to not be polite and friendly. i agee you shouldn't approachat a formal protocol event, but it's a sad day when a friendly good moring while passing on a street is considered impolite. of course "yo queeny" would never do, but a sincere good morning seems ok, imo

[Incas]

I would probably give them space and privacy if they are not on duty. Personally, I would freak if a stranger comes up to me and speak as if they are on familiar terms. I'm not even talking about terrorism, just stalkers (and not just the paparazzi kind) would make such encounters nerve racking. I keep reading about the royals, particularly the younger ones, looking for "normality" or anonimity in daily life. If they are not breaking any laws, I'd leave them alone to walk around in peace.

[bijoux]

While I was growing up in the military, we were taught not to talk to a superior (officer or royalty) until spoken to. Of course, one can always send a warm smile their way.

[RoyalProtocol]

I think its fine to say "Good Morning Your Royal Highness" and perhaps give a bow or quick curtsey, but leave it at that, if they want to speak further I'm sure they will otherwise move on and leave it, after all they want to have a life out of the spotlight.

[LauraMCS]

Originally Posted by bijoux

While I was growing up in the military, we were taught not to talk to a superior (officer or royalty) until spoken to. Of course, one can always send a warm smile their way.

I think much of that depends on whether you see a royal as your superior. The HOS is one thing but there children, grandchildren and siblings are a different matter altogether.

[Vanishing Lady]

I think I would drop a quick curtsey, look up and smile, then continue on my way. If he/she wanted to further detain me, they would have to make that move.

[FarahJoy]

Well, I was thinking of a queen I might meet. A lady who knows her well told me she is very simple, doesn't "play queen" in daily life and likes to move around in the city (she meets her regularly while shopping). So if I ever see Her Majesty I do not know what to do. I want to remain respectfull but at the same time express her my true affection.

My respect for this queen is high but I am not good at expressing these things "formally". My "latin side" is prompt to take over...

Well I think I would choose Vanishing Lady's option but I guess that with the years Her Majesty is used to receiving the most clumsy expressions of affection from people of all cultural backgrounds !

Thanks to you all again !

[fee]

I think the rule "not to initiate a contact" or address a (royal) first is similar to the Knigge ideas of WHo greets whom first who puts out the hand for the handshake first, etc.
In earlier times those rules were enforced quite strictly in every day life. Men would get up when a lady stood and only resume seating once she also sat down, you wouldn't turn your back to your superior, you would not address a superior without seeking his permission. You can find examples of this behaviour in all walks of life up until I would say WWII. And since clocks in the royal palaces tick a bit slower, you still walk backwards (and pretty awkwardly out of the room still facing the Queen and hoping not to bump into some furniture and make a foul of yourself.)
Other than that I don't think that the rules are so much different:
Who would honestly approach Mr. President and yell a friendly : " Yo, George, how is it going?"
On the other hand I have seen pictures of people posing next to the Queen, arm around her shoulder and she smiled sweetly into the camera (didn't hear of any execution afterwards either)

[BeatrixFan]

Well, the established rule is you wait for them to approach you but a simple "Good Morning Ma'am" as they pass is a nice way of making a greeting that isn't too pushy and gives them the opportunity to say the same back or to engage in a longer conversation.

[WordsUponTheWind]

I would agree to you, RoyalProtocol ,
but also i think it depends somehow which royal - A Sheik , The Queen or some young prince, princess and of which country.
But since I dont know anyone returning from such an event - maybe its very dangerous if you dont do it right. The pictures with the Queen might be fakes.

Anyway - I wonder what would really happened if anyone of us meets any or his favourite royal somewhere in public field. (IMO I would hit the nearest lamppost while looking at her and hummling some Aehs,Ohs - so the most impolite way will happen - with some headage )

[sgl]

I read in a British publication (I can't remember which one), that unless one is a subject of that particular royal, then one is not required to curtsy when they see a royal on the street or in another public place. I do like to think that if I had the pleasure of meeting a royal in person (i.e. if I was to be introduced to Queen Elizabeth at an event), I would still curtsy. Offering my hand would not seem polite, even though I am not her subject. Has anyone read the same thing?

[candygirl_68]

i heard that too: you have to bow or curtsy when you meet them, but again it depends wich royal from wich country, it's quite different.

[Prince of Chota]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Well, the established rule is you wait for them to approach you but a simple "Good Morning Ma'am" as they pass is a nice way of making a greeting that isn't too pushy and gives them the opportunity to say the same back or to engage in a longer conversation.

If we're going to get into nitty-gritty of protocol, you must first address a royal lady as "Your Highness" before calling her "ma'am" for the rest of the conversation. The same goes for royal men and "Sir".

[MDS]

I think most of the royals are used to strangers engaging in conversation with them and take it as part of their job. Frederick and Mary seem to do, and my aunt actually met the queen Margrethe II's father Frederick IX back when he was king on a trip to Skt. Peters cathedral in Rome, and he was very friendly and down to earth and not offended at all by being recognised and spoken to by one of his subjects. He actually engaged in a long conversation with her. But then again he was wellknown for being relaxed, so maybe it also depends on which royal it is and how relaxed they are. And also how they appear in the situation. If they look stressed out, I think I would leave them alone.

[Odette]

I doubt that nowdays with all the security alert to everyone's intentions, any bodyguard will let a passing byer stop and engage a royal in a conversation.
It is a lovely encounter your aunt had with K Frederick but those were other times and royals could be a little more relaxed.
With regard to etiquette I would agree with other posters that no one should address any royal unless that royal shows interest in talking to them.

[MDS]

I'm not saying that you should engage in a conversation if they don't seem interested, I'm just saying that many of them are likely to smile or nod if they pass you by, which I agree rarely happens at random. At official turn ups, it often happens, however. For example I heard on the news that the officials have to plan twice as much time for the crownprince couple to walk down the street than the queen and the prince, because they want to say hello and shake hands with everybody. I think it's like with most other people, you have to have a sense of the situation. But why not nod or say hello, your likely to be looking at them anyway, so why not act friendly.

[Odette]

A long time ago I saw Princess Grace on the street. She was alone with her bodyguard. She had a lovely smile on her face but did not seem to encourage any more than a nod. Besides I was transfixed and could not utter a word even if she spoke.
With regard to those walks about town where people hang over the barrier stretching their hands for a handshake, I guess everything goes.
I agree with you that all depends on the moment and if they give the green light that to approach them is allowed.

[MDS]

That's exciting, was she as pretty in reality? Yes, it probably also depends on the size of the country, here in denmark there are rarely barriers, when they go for a walkabout but it's probably a different story in britain for example.