Bowing and Curtseying

[AdmirerUS]

I was just reading about the Queen's coronation and her curtsey to the people. I found it in this video at 6:28. Apologies if this has been shared before; I was really curious to see what this looked like!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEDp34MRI20

[Lady Nimue]

Originally Posted by AdmirerUS

I was just reading about the Queen's coronation and her curtsey to the people. I found it in this video at 6:28. Apologies if this has been shared before; I was really curious to see what this looked like!

Not an impressive curtsy, given the deep ones I've seen on this thread. Almost perfunctory, not so?

[wyevale]

Almost perfunctory, not so?

It is more of a 'receptive acknowledgement' of a curtsey, as distinct from an obeisance of a curtsey.

[AdmirerUS]

I purposefully posted it to show it as en exemplar of an acceptable curtsey in the UK. It's a great illustration of the practice back in the day when it meant something profound on a day when it was most profound.

I personally believe HM is far less into the depth of the curtsey than many of us here appear to want her to be.

I also think the standard differs by country and by individual (both giver and receiver of the honor). It is very different across Europe.

I also believe that there have been very deep curtesies in the past which were intended by the giver as a way to draw attention to themselves, rather to mostly give honor to the recipient. I'm a bit cynical that way.

But I now know absolutely, how I would curtsey to Elizabeth II and I am quite certain, she would be sanguine about my effort!

[Osipi]

Considering the weight of all the ceremonial robes and the crown, I'm impressed that the Queen was able to pull off any kind of a curtsy at all. That had to play a big part in just how low of a curtsy she could do at the time.

[Lady Nimue]

Originally Posted by Osipi

Considering the weight of all the ceremonial robes and the crown, I'm impressed that the Queen was able to pull off any kind of a curtsy at all. That had to play a big part in just how low of a curtsy she could do at the time.

It's a shadow of curtsies that are being shown here on this thread. In fact, it's unclear to me what she is actually doing. Is she leaning back on one leg? It was not a 'going down'. Not really. I would be interested to see any curtsy she has given when she was princess (and not Queen). Anyone have that handy?

A real curtsey seems to be a direct down and up. That's not what she did. She did bow her head very clearly.

At 2:40 the curtsey is demonstrated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etiMil0_4Jw

[W.Y.CII]

Originally Posted by Lady Nimue

It's a shadow of curtsies that are being shown here on this thread. In fact, it's unclear to me what she is actually doing. Is she leaning back on one leg? It was not a 'going down'. Not really. I would be interested to see any curtsy she has given when she was princess (and not Queen). Anyone have that handy?

Here you are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw4YVrx0_QM

1:45 to Q Juliana,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZJPSwpTPLg

1:28 to K Haakon, and another photo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtkh82r4Oy8

0:38 to Q Ingrid

Unfortunately none of these video/photo shows her both legs. (I think she had curtsied to her parent in her wedding? but I can't find any photo)

Bowing is not always necessary? They sometimes just keep talking while curtsying .

[Lady Nimue]

Thank you, W.Y.CII. In one instance the down and up was very clear (and very, very fast), nothing like what she did at her coronation (imo). Interesting. I don't think she's a fan of the curtsy, at least for herself.

[wyevale]

As I said Lady Nimue, HMQ's curtsey at her Coronation was an 'acknowledgement' to the assembled company, and intended as such, not an obeisance, since she outranked every single person in the Abbey that day.

[maria-olivia]

Thanks you so much.
Princess Elisabeth courtseys Queen Juliana, King Haakon and the King and Queen of denmark.

[Duc_et_Pair]

To the ladies (Juliana and Ingrid): a kis and then the knees down.
To the gentlemen (Haakon and Frederik): the knees down only.

These days we can see that the gentlemen are also kissed.

King Felipe

And King Willem-Alexander:

King Willem-Alexander

[maria-olivia]

At the State Visit to Denmark Queen Mathilde wanted to give a second kiss to Queen Margarethe and it failed...
So one kiss is enough.

[W.Y.CII]

I remember in Spain-UK state visit, there is an awkward moment that Camilla and Letizia (and also Felipe) are not sure how to give a kiss to each other because of their hats

[ANNIE_S]

Leonor, Princess of Asturias, curtsying to her father, King Felipe VI of Spain
http://www.abc.es/media/MM/2018/01/3...15x900@abc.jpg

[W.Y.CII]

Originally Posted by ANNIE_S

Leonor, Princess of Asturias, curtsying to her father, King Felipe VI of Spain
http://www.abc.es/media/MM/2018/01/3...15x900@abc.jpg

(I have said this on other thread but) Her curtsy is beautiful and elegant.

Can I nominate this for the best royal photo of 2018? Love the happiness from Leonor and the pride from Felipe.

[Darnius]

The video https://youtu.be/n-pD0Nml6V0

I must say this was the first time I saw her curtseys & I love it! *two thumbs*

[RoyalJewelish]

Originally Posted by W.Y.CII

(I have said this on other thread but) Her curtsy is beautiful and elegant.



Can I nominate this for the best royal photo of 2018? Love the happiness from Leonor and the pride from Felipe.

I love it!!!

[MARG]

It looks like the new King is putting the "Royal" back into the Spanish Monarchy. They have never been consistent with their curtseys. Leonor seems to have her mother's self-confidence and her Aunt's grace.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by ANNIE_S

Leonor, Princess of Asturias, curtsying to her father, King Felipe VI of Spain
http://www.abc.es/media/MM/2018/01/3...15x900@abc.jpg

Oh, what an enchanting photo! Leonor is beautiful and elegant...a perfect curtsy for her papa.

[SLV]

Lovely ceremony. Looks like her aunt and uncle from her mothers side also attended?