Bowing and Curtseying

[wanderingnana]

Originally Posted by qzwxec

...They are traitors actually.

I am not a birther but an independent, but there are quite a few people in this country that think Obama is the traitor. If everyone who ever thought anything negative about any of the presidents were traitors, they'd have to hang the whole country at one time or another. Please don't bring your politics into this, this was a question about protocol and manners, not about the purity of Obama

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by Artemisia

In regards to bow to the Japanese Imperial couple - most people do that, including Heads of State. Not because the Emperor and Empress are particularly special protocol wise, but simply because bowing is the traditional way of greeting in Japan. In fact, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko also often bow to others, including non-royals; when the Emperor was recently discharged from hospital, both he and his wife bowed to the doctors (who obviously returned the bow).

President Obama's bow to the Emperor was somewhat deeper that is the custom (for Heads of State), although his bow to the Empress was perfect.

I agree with everything you've stated, but his bow from the waist was much the same for the King of Saudi Arabia. The exaggerated nature of this courteous display is what makes one believe that it had more to do with the societal position of the receiving host.

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by wanderingnana

You obviously ween't paying attenion or reading the news back then. It was widely reported on TV and in the news and there was a big national ruckus about it and not only by Republicans.

Even I remember reading about this incident - and I had no interest whatsoever in royalty at the time.
If I am not mistaken, it happened right after the President's visit to the United Kingdom; the British press had a field day speculating why Obama chose not to bow to the Queen, but bowed - and deeply - to the Saudi Monarch.

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

I agree with everything you've stated, but his bow from the waist was much the same for the King of Saudi Arabia. The exaggerated nature of this courteous display is what makes one believe that it had more to do with the societal position of the receiving host.

I have to agree that both bows (to the Emperor and the King) were much deeper than one would expect. Then again, there is no set rule how deep a bow must be, so perhaps it was indeed a (somewhat exaggerated) sign of respect.

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by Warren

today Elizabeth II would be Queen of the United Kingdom and titular or de juré Queen of Hanover.

I doubt that as the UK accepted Germany after WWII as a republic, so no queen or king of the Uk would be able to lay claim to that throne anymore, salic or no salic law.

[fairy tale]

Crown Princess Mathilde curtseying to Empress Michiko
Picture

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Kataryn

I doubt that as the UK accepted Germany after WWII as a republic, so no queen or king of the Uk would be able to lay claim to that throne anymore, salic or no salic law.

Which is why I used the terms "de juré" and "titular" and both were preceded by "If..."; in other words, purely hypothetical.

Moving on, and more interestingly...

William & Catherine greeting HM

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Nottingham railway station before the Queen the other day and here is their manner of greeting in three thumbnails...

1. A kiss from William (hand on lower arm)
2. A curtsey from Catherine, immediately followed by...
3. A kiss (hand on shoulder)
Thumbnail images are from heavily cropped screenshots

The short video from which the screenshots were taken can be seen at the bottom of the Mail Online report of the visit.
.

[JACKDRAKE]

I have had the pleasure of attending a function with the Queen a couple of years ago and i stupidly almost bent my leg to curtsey but managed to style it out and bow instead , you could tell from her cheeky smile she knew i almost messed up.

[sarahedwards2]

Does anyone have any pictures of Princess Anne curtsying? I know there's the one at her wedding when she's curtsying to her mother the Queen, and the one at Princess Alexandra's wedding, and when Queen Beatrix comes for a state visit, but I don't know of any others.

[Artemisia]

Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai and his wife Princess Haya attended Day 2 of Royal Ascot.

Princess Haya meeting The Queen

- Princess Haya curtseying to Queen Elizabeth
- And a warmer and more informal greeting

Gallery from Daylife

[IloveCP]

Here is Sophie curtseying to the Queen. I think it's a great curtsey! Very deep, like at her wedding.

[MagMil]

Originally Posted by IloveCP

Here is Sophie curtseying to the Queen. I think it's a great curtsey! Very deep, like at her wedding.

One of the best I have seen it till now

[crm2317]

I think it is great too! I also love how Princess Michael of Kent is clutching her husbands hand for support!

[Daria_S]

Originally Posted by IloveCP

Here is Sophie curtseying to the Queen. I think it's a great curtsey! Very deep, like at her wedding.

This is a very deep curtsey, full of reverence and respect (I love Sophie's smile too). I personally don't think I'd be able to keep my balance while doing this in flat shoes, let alone high heels. Well done, Your Highness.

[Baroness of Books]

Originally Posted by Artemisia

Princess Haya meeting The Queen

What I like about this curtsey is HM's body language toward Haya. Her glasses are informally in her hand and she's leaning toward Haya as if actively engaged instead of just receiving the obeisance. She also looks like she's talking to her. I really like the interaction here, and it's obvious there's a nice friendship between them.

Originally Posted by IloveCP

Here is Sophie curtseying to the Queen. I think it's a great curtsey! Very deep, like at her wedding.

How graceful and elegant. A deep dip, on heels no less and unaided, head bowed, hands folded and eyes downcast but with just a pleasant smile. Extra points for not flinging her arms out for balance!

On the other hand, Princess Michael has somewhat of a grip on her husband's hand for her curtsey, but it's a nice one all the same.

[Al_bina]

Actually Her Majesty and Princess Haya exchanged greeting in the same manner last year.

[Artemisia]

Princess Beatrice and Autumn Kelly (Peter Phillips' wife) curtseyed to Queen Elizabeth during Ascot 5.
- Princess Beatrice
- Autumn Kelly

I have to say, I much prefer the Countess of Wessex' and Princess Haya's graceful curtseys.

[sarahedwards2]

What about Princess Anne?

[EllieCat]

Princess Beatrice and Autumn Kelly (Peter Phillips' wife) curtseyed to Queen Elizabeth during Ascot 5.

Curtseying would have looked much more elegant in the days during and before the Edwardian era when Princesses wore floor length dresses; not that i think we should go back to those days! Just observing...

[Charlotte_Aster]

Oh my... PBeatrice should get some lessons from her aunt..

[SLV]

There seem to be two ways of curtseying. With and without crossing one leg behind the other.
I think that not wearing tight skirts would help with the balance and therefor with the degree of elegance of the curtsey.