Bowing and Curtseying

[Baroness of Books]

That is really a precious photo. They certainly learn protocol at an early age!

[Daria_S]

Originally Posted by HereditaryPrincess

I found this cute picture of Princess Eugenie when she was younger, curtseying to the Queen Mother:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMRCKlcFR_...other+1997.jpg

How precious . I love Eugenie's dress.

[sarahedwards2]

I've seen this picture before, but didn't realize it was Eugenie!

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by sarahedwards2

I've seen this picture before, but didn't realize it was Eugenie!

Yes, I found the picture on a royal blog and the caption underneath read 'A young Princess Eugenie curtseying to the Queen Mother'- or something similar.

[Warren]

Yes, it's Eugenie and it was taken in 1997 at the same time as these two:

v Viscountess Linley giving a low curtsey to the Queen Mother during the Royal Family's annual cruise around Scotland,
followed immediately by...
> Lady Sarah Chatto (going even lower).

[HereditaryPrincess]

Thanks for the pictures of Viscountess Linley and Lady Sarah, Warren!

[Dman]

I think there's also a picture of Sophie giving the Queen Mother a very low curtsey. The Queen Mother seemed to get the very lowest curtsey's.

Here is the then, Sophie Rhys-Jones giving a deep curtsey to HM The Queen Mother in 1995:

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/ne...photo/52105613

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/ne...photo/52116551

Sophie's been part of that family for a very long time.

[Baroness of Books]

I see it's a matter of choice when making these curtseys to bow your head, as Sophie did, or look directly at the person.

[Daria_S]

The three ladies' curtseys are very elegant, graceful, and full of reverence. Thank you to those who provided the photos.

[PssKatie]

Originally Posted by Baroness of Books

I see it's a matter of choice when making these curtseys to bow your head, as Sophie did, or look directly at the person.

I once read that back in the '50s and '60s the rumour was that the Duke of Edinburgh would smile at you when you curtseyed if he found you unattractive. So many of the ladies started to bow their heads because they didn't want to see if he smiled at them.

[andrew]

At about minute 1 you can see Harry and William bowing to Queen Anne-Marie when receiving a polo award from her:

HARRY The Mysterious Prince part 6.wmv - YouTube

[Duke-of-Earl]

Why would William and Harry bow to Anne-Marie?

[Artemisia]

Because Anne Marie is a Queen (even if former), whereas Harry and William are just Princes. Or, in other words, protocol, respect.
For the same reason, Kate curtseys to Crown Princess Margarita of Romania, Queen Anne Marie, and other royal ladies from former monarchies.

Current monarchies tend to be much more uptight when it comes to former royal houses; as far as they are concerned, once a King - always a King. You might have noticed how in the official portrait taken before the Lunch for Monarchs, former Sovereigns (Michael of Romania, Simeon of Bulgaria...) were given great prominence - greater, in fact, than reigning ones for they were seated immediately next to the Queen. That's because as far as Royal Families are concerned, Michael and Simeon have been Kings since 1927 (1940) and 1943 respectively, and the fact their countries are no longer monarchies is somewhat irrelevant.

[Duke-of-Earl]

Once a King always a King? What exactly are Michael and Simeon King of? Not Romania or Bulgaria thats for sure.

[Artemisia]

As far as monarchies are concerned, they are. Have you noticed that the former Monarchs are addressed by their full titles and styles by virtually all current monarchies, and most other countries too? It's like being a marine; there is no such thing as "ex". Now, Crown Princess Margarita will never be Queen Margarita (unless monarchy in Romania is reinstated) because she didn't hold the title at the time monarchy in the country was abolished. Her father though will remain a King for the rest of his life.

[AdmirerUS]

Originally Posted by Artemisia

As far as monarchies are concerned, they are. Have you noticed that the former Monarchs are addressed by their full titles and styles by virtually all current monarchies, and most other countries too? It's like being a marine; there is no such thing as "ex". Now, Crown Princess Margarita will never be Queen Margarita (unless monarchy in Romania is reinstated) because she didn't hold the title at the time monarchy in the country was abolished. Her father though will remain a King for the rest of his life.

I think the DOE was asking about real life. When the country you rule decides not to be ruled, no matter how illegal, unfair, usurper-ous, whatever - you no longer rule a country. There is some other legal platform that rules the country.

I do applaud fellow royals/ex-royals when they stand for monarchies that have been illegally, if factually, overthrown. But that does not necessarily incite the locals to take up arms and reinstate the monarchy.

[Dman]

Yeah, the royals make sure they give respect to all the Monarchs, even if they are former Kings and Queens.

If I met Queen Anne Marie, I would bow my head too.

[NGalitzine]

Well Americans still accord Jimmy Carter, George HW Bush, Bill Clinton and George W Bush the title of President even though they no longer hold office so there isn't much difference.

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by AdmirerUS

I think the DOE was asking about real life. When the country you rule decides not to be ruled, no matter how illegal, unfair, usurper-ous, whatever - you no longer rule a country. There is some other legal platform that rules the country.

I do applaud fellow royals/ex-royals when they stand for monarchies that have been illegally, if factually, overthrown. But that does not necessarily incite the locals to take up arms and reinstate the monarchy.

I understand and fully agree with that; the people of Greece no longer recognise Constantine and Anne Marie as their King and Queen, so they are not legally monarchs of anything. I was explaining the situation from the point of view of monarchies as I understand it.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Well Americans still accord Jimmy Carter, George HW Bush, Bill Clinton and George W Bush the title of President even though they no longer hold office so there isn't much difference.

This habit has always amused me. Australians continue to accord our former Prime Ministers the same level of contempt accorded to them while they were in office. They're lucky to just get referred to as "Howard" or "Hawke" or "Keating" without some expletive in front of it. At best it's Mr, and that's only formally.