Upon invitation, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna paid a visit to Belarus from July 16 to July 22. It was the first official visit of a member of the Imperial Family to Belarus after the collapse of the Russian Empire.
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Maria Vladimirovna visited several cities in Belarus, including Brest and Minsk, as well as several villages. Members of the Grand Duchess’s delegation made sure the protocol is strictly followed: all those who were to be presented to Maria Vladimirovna were told to kiss her hand, bow/curtsey during the introduction, only respond to her questions and talk when directly addressed to. President Lukashenko was aware and approved of the visit of the Grand Duchess. Although a meeting between the two was considered, it didn’t take place.
The visit of the ‘Uncrowned Empress’ (as she was called in several newspapers) was a moderate success, however it was also controversial.
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Marsel Russian Royals Belarus, Bowing & Curtseying, Maria Vladimirovna, Official Visit, President Lukashenko, Protocol
The scoreboards at Wimbledon have undergone a change. They are no longer listing the names of the players with “Miss” or “Mrs.” (or even Ms.). In the past, female players have been listed with “Mrs.” or “Miss” before their names on the scoreboards, but men have never had a title before their names. A spokesman for the prestigious tennis tournament said, “We decided to bring it in line with the men”, according to a recent article in the Daily Mail.
In addition to dropping the titles, players no longer have to bow to the royal box when entering and leaving Centre Court. This change was brought about by the Duke of Kent, who is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. When asked about this change, the Duke stated that “it no longer fitted in with the modern game”.
Not all royal protocol has been abandoned though. Female players are still expected to curtsy to the Queen and the Prince of Wales, if they are present at Wimbledon. The Queen has not attended the tournament since 1977, and the Prince of Wales last attended in 1970; however, there is a lot of speculation (and hoping) that the Queen will attend if Andy Murray advances to the finals.
For more information about Wimbledon, please visit this website.
To read about, and to discuss the Duke of Kent, please visit this thread.
sgl British Royals Bowing & Curtseying, Duke of Kent, Elizabeth II, Protocol, Wimbledon
Click for the image at the BBC website
Today is one of the Days on which it is commanded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that the Union Flag be flown on all UK Government Buildings, Gun Salutes will be fired, at St. George’s Chapel and Westminster Abbey the bells will be rung and in the Abbey evensong will feature Byrd’s “O Lord Make thy servant Elizabeth our Queen”.
Click for the gallery at the British Monarchy website
These celebrations are all in honour of Coronation Day, fifty six years ago today, Elizabeth II was crowned amid much pomp and circumstance in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter’s Westminster (Westminster Abbey). Her Majesty dedicated herself to the service of the Nation and The Commonwealth before God and promised to uphold the Christian faith and the established Church. Read more…
RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Coronation, Elizabeth II, Protocol
One often notices, when out shopping, that many items carry the Royal Coat of Arms and the legend “By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen….” These companies are holders of a Royal Warrant to indicate that the Royal Household uses their produce; it is the greatest honour a UK business can have.
From Smythson of Bond Street, Barbour and Fortnum & Mason to Heinz, Silver Spoon Sugar and McIlhenny Company (Tabasco Sauce) the Royal Warrant can be found on a great variety of products. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales can all award these warrants and give their Royal seal of approval.
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RoyalProtocol British Royals Elizabeth II, Protocol
This morning The Queen will welcome The President of Mexico to The UK at the start of his State Visit.
A state visit (especially where a Monarch is involved) is one of the most formal royal events, full of ceremonial and protocol
Queen Elizabeth II has maintained the traditions of the Edwardian Court and continues to entertain state visitors in a manner more suitable of the 1900’s. Nevertheless these great occasions are the highlight of the Royal year and continue to be a big news story.
A UK incoming state visit usually begins mid-week and is held in London or Windsor (very occasional Edinburgh) and begins with a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards or The Main Street in Windsor, carriage rides, guards of honour and national anthems all play a key role in these proceedings and a detailed programme is prepared by The Lord Chamberlain’s Office.
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RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Elizabeth II, Protocol, State Visit
Meeting a member of any Royal Family can be a nerve wrecking experience for even the most seasoned Royal watcher. The questions of what to wear, say and do can be mind boggling and then there is the major question should I bow / curtsey. In days gone by it was an obligatory act of deference to ones Sovereign, today it is optional. Buckingham Palace state only that many people wish to observe these traditional forms, however a handshake is just as acceptable.
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RoyalProtocol Uncategorized Bowing & Curtseying, Protocol
The Queen’s presence is, by long tradition, marked by the flying of Her Majesty’s Royal Standard. This flag is flown over a building in which The Queen is present, from a ship in which Her Majesty is travelling, from the roof of The Queen’s official cars and from Royal Aircraft when on the Ground.
The Royal Standard is not flown from ecclesiastical buildings, with the exception of Westminster Abbey which may fly the Standard even in The Queen’s absence providing Her Majesty is in the vicinity of the Abbey. Read more…
RoyalProtocol British Royals Elizabeth II, Protocol
Next Thursday I am attending a Presentation of Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in St. James’s Palace, London as a member of Staff, I recently received my invitation card for the event so I decided to write the following blog on Royal invitations.
Invitations from Buckingham Palace are an exciting item of post which often the leaves the recipient confused and bewildered. It requires a precise form of reply and will led you on your way to wonderful experience with Her Majesty The Queen or one of the members of The Royal Family.
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RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, Protocol
Wednesday saw The Queen hold one of her favourite ceremonies: An investiture. The form has remained the same since at least the 1910s and is a delightful morning affair.
The ceremony allows those who have received honours form the Crown to have them bestowed by the Sovereign of the Order, following the announcement of the honour in either the New Years list in January or The Queen’s Birthday Honours in June.
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RoyalProtocol British Royals Elizabeth II, Protocol
The Queen yesterday received two new Ambassadors to the United Kingdom from the Republic of Serbia and from Bosnia Herzegovina. As the Court Circular more formally referred to them, in diplomatic circles they are known as Ambassadors to the Court of St. James’s.
Click the image to see the Getty photo gallery
Diplomatic relations is a major ceremonial aspect of Her Majesty’s life. Letters of credence, letters of recall and the London Diplomatic List may seem far removed from our everyday lives, but in the international world they are a key aspect of how realms and republics interact with each other. It is traditional for new Ambassadors and High Commissioners to travel to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession shortly after their arrival in London; the new diplomat (dressed in formal attire – evening tails, morning coats or diplomatic court dress) then has an audience of The Queen when he or she presents a formal letter of credence from the sending Head of State which asks The Queen to accept the new Ambassador as their representative in London. Her Majesty always accepts and the new Ambassador is then considered an official member of the Corps Diplomatique.
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RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Diplomatic Corps, Elizabeth II, Protocol
