Encounters with Royalty

[Jacknch]

Well, it would likely be a very brief conversation if there are many others for the royal to meet, but I would like to think that any conversation would be of value to both of us not just to me.
I would nod my head and shake hands as I always do when greeting someone.
After all that, I'd probably go all silly and tell anyone who will listen that I met a royal. Then I'd come down back to Earth and wish I was royal then wonder why. Finally, that particular royal would become my favourite.

[Daria_S]

I like your approach. Mine would be quite similar. When I had a chance to say 'hello' to Crown Princess Mary, I did feel a bit overwhelmed, but after a few seconds, it was just your typical 'are you and your husband enjoying NYC?' type of conversation. I generally try to let the other person take the lead, and feel that it's easier for me to follow, so I did just that in this particular instance.

[RoyalistRiley]

I've had nightmares about this (sad, I know) where I'd be so gobsmacked that I'd go into shock and curtsey (even though I am a guy) and then just stare at them.

But seriously I would bow and then wait for them to talk/offer their hand for a handshake before shaking it and then saying something like "Are you enjoying today so far, Your (insert title)". I've read that's what you're supposed to do protocol wise and I'd be too star-struck to instigate the encounter myself.

[Noble Consort Ming]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

Sorry, I don't see them as special, so I would be polite and hope they had something of value to say.

Same for me.

[Daria_S]

I think that if I ever met anyone from the British Royal Family, I probably would be a bit star-struck (hopefully while the said member is walking down the line and greeting others, because that would give me time to gather my wits a bit ). I would wait for them to initiate any conversation (I did that with Mary of Denmark as well), and just hope that I won't sound like a total spaz when it was my time to contribute or show that I'm actually actively listening to what is being said.

[MichelleQ2]

Last year when W&K were in Los Angeles, I was in a rope line waiting to meet them with my best friend's 2 daughters (age 20) - security had moved about 20 of us up to greet them. As we were waiting I asked the girls - what are you going to say.... and they both looked at me with this dumfounded look. I told them you have 2 sec to make an impression. We werent sure if we were going to get Will or Kate as they would split to do the 2 sides. One decided to ask to be fixed up with Harry (it was before Harrys trip to San Diego) and the other was telling them she was studying at Oxford in the fall. This was all at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.....Alas - W&K ended were running behind and had to forgo the rope line and went out through the basement.

[nascarlucy]

I would be tougue tied, nervous and probably would say Hello and that would be it. I would wait until they spoke to me before I spoke. I believe that would be the proper protocol

[LipGloss]

Originally Posted by Artemisia

Nothing.
If they start a conversation with me, I'd be delighted to take part in it. But as someone who values privacy above everything, I would not dream to invade another person's privacy (whether a royal, a celebrity, or "ordinary" human being) without their consent.

I would do the exact same thing, I generally do not like to make people feel uncomfortable and break into their own zone.
Unless we meet for business ( I'm an interior designer), I'll talk it out like I do with all my clients without being too descriptive because I have that bad habit of going on and on about a certain vision I'm having about my work.

[HereditaryPrincess]

My first (and only) encounter with royalty was in London. I saw HM and Prince Philip in their Rolls- Royce and I was very close to their car. It was during her Jubilee last year, and I seem to remember her smiling at me!

Some of my friend's stories:

1. My friend was walking down the road near St James's Park one day, when she saw a black Bentley. She thought it was someone who lived at Downing Street, and to her surprise, the PoW and Duchess of Cornwall stepped out of the car- she was walking behind them at one point, but didn't talk to them.

2. Another friend of mine was in London when there was suddenly a big traffic jam. She told me that there was a man getting angry at the other traffic and he shouted 'who are we waiting for, the Queen?!' And just as he had predicted, the traffic jam was caused by a royal car with HM inside! We always laugh when she tells that story!

[GracieGiraffe]

My only encounter with royalty was the only one who would visit the great State of Georgia. She was none other than the great Sarah, Duchess of York. She was selling her goods at the fair (Sarah's Garden Wedgewood at the local mall). I went to see all the fuss, and my there was a fuss. Atlanta doesn't get royals like Fergie every day at the mall. All the store employees ordered to wear smart black suits. Every bigwig of the company running around. And there she was, on a podium. Some little girl came up to her to autograph her plate and swept into the grandest curtsy I had ever seen, proud mother right behind her. She looked like a debutante in 1890 before Q. Victoria. It was the most ridiculous spectacle I had ever seen.

Last year in Wash D.C. Obama's motorcade passed us quite by chance on the street. He waived to us. What a grand moment to have the Pres. of the United States waive to you!

[Lumutqueen]

Did that really happen? That's hilarious.

Shaken hands with QE2, DOE and Princess Beatrice smiled at me outside York Minster last year. Was a lovely day.

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by HereditaryPrincess

My first (and only) encounter with royalty was in London. I saw HM and Prince Philip in their Rolls- Royce and I was very close to their car. It was during her Jubilee last year, and I seem to remember her smiling at me!

And what a lovely memory to have of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee!

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by An Ard Ri

And what a lovely memory to have of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee!

I agree, I'll remember it for a long time!

My cousin has completed his silver certificate for the DoE's awards, and he's going to meet the Earl of Wessex, although I don't know when. He'll have tea with Prince Philip when he completes his gold!

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by HereditaryPrincess

I agree, I'll remember it for a long time!

My cousin has completed his silver certificate for the DoE's awards, and he's going to meet the Earl of Wessex, although I don't know when. He'll have tea with Prince Philip when he completes his gold!

One of my cousins in London did meet Prince Albert II of Monaco last summer backstage at the Olympics and he let him take his photo and said 'this is for my cousin in Ireland'.

He said the Prince was charming and just smiled!

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by An Ard Ri

One of my cousins in London did meet Prince Albert II of Monaco last summer backstage at the Olympics and he let him take his photo and said 'this is for my cousin in Ireland'.

He said the Prince was charming and just smiled!

I'm sure that was also a nice memory!

I was trying to see if I could spot any royals at the Paralympics Swimming this year. Unfortunately I didn't see any...

[Rice]

I saw Princess Madeleine in JCREW in NYC
I saw Sheikha Mozah and her daughter, Sheikha Mayassah at the gym in NYC.
I didn't speak to any of them, but Sheikha Mozah walked passed me and did smile as walked by me. I said hello.

[GracieGiraffe]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

Did that really happen? That's hilarious.

Shaken hands with QE2, DOE and Princess Beatrice smiled at me outside York Minster last year. Was a lovely day.

Yes, and that is EXACTLY how it happened. I could have shaken hands with Fergie if I had bought one of her jugs or something.

Must have been nice to meet the Queen, DoE and Beatrice!

[KittyAtlanta]

I remember when Fergie came to town. I thought my late friend, Leonard, was going to have a heart attack in the days running up to the visit at the mall. I didn't go, but he did and got her autograph and purchased a piece of the pottery or china, I can't remember which. That visit stayed with him until he died and made him a very happy man. One person's trash is another person's treasure.

I was presented to Carl-Gustav at a ball given in his honor in 1988 or 1989. I got invited because of my job (private banker) at the time.

Prince Charles waved at me from the driver's seat of his Aston-Martin in London many moons ago (he wasn't married yet).

The late and much lamented King Hussein I saw at least twice a year (never met Queen Noor).

I waived to the Princess of Wales on their visit to Washington, D.C. in 1985. She waived back, as did Barbara Bush.

Shall I go on?????

[GracieGiraffe]

Originally Posted by KittyAtlanta

I remember when Fergie came to town. I thought my late friend, Leonard, was going to have a heart attack in the days running up to the visit at the mall. I didn't go, but he did and got her autograph and purchased a piece of the pottery or china, I can't remember which. That visit stayed with him until he died and made him a very happy man. One person's trash is another person's treasure.

I was presented to Carl-Gustav at a ball given in his honor in 1988 or 1989. I got invited because of my job (private banker) at the time.

Prince Charles waved at me from the driver's seat of his Aston-Martin in London many moons ago (he wasn't married yet).

The late and much lamented King Hussein I saw at least twice a year (never met Queen Noor).

I waived to the Princess of Wales on their visit to Washington, D.C. in 1985. She waived back, as did Barbara Bush.

Shall I go on?????

Oh, what might have been, Kitty!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad Fergie made your friend's day, Kitty. The place was packed, she made a lot of people's day.

[nascarlucy]

I've never had the pleasure of meeting any royal.