Bowing and Curtseying

[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

[MARG]

Let's face it, we might as well try to hold back the sea. Duchess Catherine and Duchess Meghan sound more friendly and we know who they are talking about when they talk of cuetsies.

[Katymcwaity]

Should I ever be lucky enough to meet any Royals, I don’t intend to curtsy Plus I think it adds pressure to all those presenting bouquets etc. Its generally a fleeting moment but how many will say they can’t remember much as they were worried about their curtsy? A welcoming smile and handshake are more genuine.

[MissPeach77]

Originally Posted by 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

What are you referring to when you say there is no such person as Duchess Kate? Do you mean it should be Duchess Catherine, or do you just not consider her a Duchess?

[Moonmaiden23]

It's not the proper way to address her, is all. It's the way an amateur would call a newly minted Royal Duchess

It's a small thing, I know. But it's as grating and irritating to hear Kate called "Duchess Kate" as it is to hear her addressed as Kate Middleton and Meghan as Meghan Markle.

Neither are correct. Just say HRH or The DoC if you can't be bothered with The Duchess of Cambridge, for goodness sake!

[MissPeach77]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

It's not the proper way to address her, is all. It's the way an amateur would call a newly minted Royal Duchess

It's a small thing, I know. But it's as grating and irritating to hear Kate called "Duchess Kate" as it is to hear her addressed as Kate Middleton and Meghan as Meghan Markle.

Neither are correct. Just say HRH or The DoC if you can't be bothered with The Duchess of Cambridge, for goodness sake!

I get your point, I guess it's just that HRH is too general. You could be referring to numerous people. She is the Duchess of Cambridge, her name is Catherine, but went by Kate before being royal, so that is how people identify her more easily and directly than just HRH. I mean, people referred to Diana as "Princess" Diana and she was in fact not a Princess.

[Moonmaiden23]

"HRH" is too general, unless it's during the course of a conversation where the DoC is the topic. That's what I meant. Otherwise she would be the Duchess of Cambridge or "the DoC" as I call her.

ETA: I never called Diana "Princess Diana" or the egregious "Lady Di" after she married Charles. I

[MissPeach77]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

"HRH" is too general, unless it's during the course of a conversation where the DoC is the topic. That's what I meant. Otherwise she would be the Duchess of Cambridge or "the DoC" as I call her.

ETA: I never called Diana "Princess Diana" or the egregious "Lady Di" after she married Charles.

Gotcha!

[Osipi]

One thing to remember when addressing a married in female to the British royal family is that they're addressed as they're styled. Kate is HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. No first names are used. In fact, part of Kate's titles is Princess William. Usage of the female's first name followed by the style, for example, Diana, Princess of Wales and Sarah, Duchess of York denotes a divorced woman that was once married to a peer of the UK. Its then they can use their given names and retain the use of their title/style until they remarry again.

There's a really good thread that goes into explaining all the ins and outs of British titles and styles and makes for a good read. Its located here:

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...itles-258.html

Happy reading!! Great place to learn all you ever needed or wanted to know about titles and styles.