Bowing and Curtseying

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by LadyGabrielle

I understand being respectful towards the priests but still do not understand the curtsey part. Shaking the hand, maybe kiss the hand but to curtsey to a priest is somewhat odd to me. If anything I would think it should be the other way around. It almost seems awkward that she would do that. Am I being too critical here?

Sent from my SCH-I800 using The Royals Community mobile app

I am a terribly clumsy person and could not curtsy correctly if my life was on the line. On the couple of occasions in my life when I have encountered a Cardinal, I genuflected (bent the knee) and kissed his ring. Once I was required to kneel on the stone steps of the church with some other parishioners when receiving a special blessing and almost toppled over while trying to stand-keep in mind I was a young, healthy woman at the time!

My point is that a Catholic should and can do what they are comfortable doing as long as it is within the guidelines of respect and protocol. I have noticed for example that Prince Albert bowed slightly when visiting the Pope, while Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume genuflected deeply and kissed the Papal ring during a recent visit. Both actions are considered both respectful and appropriate for a Catholic.

[Pranter]

It's not just tradition....it means something when a (Catholic) person kneels/bows/kisses the ring of a member of the Clergy. If someone merely does it just to do it there's little point to it.

I've teared up when the Bishop comes to our parish....it's what he represents not who he is per se. Can't imagine how it would be to meet the pope.


LaRae

[Osipi]

From what I've seen of Pope Francis, I'd imagine it would be wide open, huggable and smiles all the way around. Yes he is the Pope and there's always been kind of a protocol as far as meeting him but he's just a likable kind of guy it seems. My mother did have a chance to meet Pope John Paul II and she was just awestruck by the aura of peace the man had.

But anyways, back to the subject at hand, there are just traditions whether it be in a church or with royalty or in many different situations where certain things are done to show respect, reverence, humility and such. In times past even servitude and obeisance. Times have changed so much these days that what suits one person/culture may seem strange to another. My mother for example would die before she wore a pair of slacks to church in the 50s-60s. As times changed, so did she.

[sthreats]

My parish is the Cathedral Parish so we see the Archbishop or Bishop every Sunday. We genuflect to towards the altar ( Where the Blessed Sacrament is ) not the the Archbishop. I have never seen anyone curtsey. I remember kissing the Cardinal's ring when I was confirmed but my children did not do this.

Maybe it is a European thing. I actually was more surprised that P. Charlene's head was not covered.
But the bottom line is that they were showing respect and reverence. That's always good.

We did get to see Pope John Paul II. That was an emotional experience.

[Moonmaiden23]

It could be a generational thing as well. For example when I look at old newsreels of papal audiences and appearances the crowds appear so respectful and reverent. They make the Sign of the Cross when the pontiff passes them and some even kneel.

During the funeral ceremonies for John Paul II in 2005 some people in the massive crowds blessed themselves when his body was brought out during the procession to St. Peter's Basilica, but many many more were simply holding their cell phones aloft to get a good picture. I have also noticed this inside the basilica itself during papal liturgies. The Pope passes them and gives them his Blessing, and they respond by taking a photo and posting it on Twitter.

I find it very disrespectful.

[USAPolitics]

Can anyone tell me where this photo is from? What occasion? HRH The Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco curtsying to HM The Queen.

[Dman]

That was Caroline & Ernst of Hanover arriving to a state banquet with German President Horst Koehler and Queen Elizabeth II at the Zeughaus Palace, 02 November 2004 in Berlin. The Queen was on a three-day state visit to Germany at the time.

Very nice curtsey from Caroline.

[An Ard Ri]

What a lovely and graceful curtsy from The Princess of Hanover to the Queen1

[Moonmaiden23]

Caroline grew up curtsying from her earliest childhood. She would know how to execute a perfect one at this point in her life!

[fandesacs2003]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

Caroline grew up curtsying from her earliest childhood. She would know how to execute a perfect one at this point in her life!

Correct. And in top of that she has been doing classical ballet almost all her life. She has enough grace and agility for.

[Moonmaiden23]

Yes, I forgot about Caroline's ballet training...good point!

[USAPolitics]

HM The Queen looks so pleased to see her. Either pleased to see an old family friend and daughter of a great man, HSH Prince Rainier (just about everyone respected that guy), or pleased to see such a graceful curtsy. Perhaps both!

[Moonmaiden23]

The Windsors are descendants of the House of Hanover, so they are family. Perhaps the Queen was pleased to see her Royal cousin Ernst August as well.

[fandesacs2003]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

The Windsors are descendants of the House of Hanover, so they are family. Perhaps the Queen was pleased to see her Royal cousin Ernst August as well.

And there is multiple family bonds between the Queen, the PoE and EA

[Darnius]

Little Caroline curtseys.

Grace & Family: Photo

[USAPolitics]

Originally Posted by Darnius

Little Caroline curtseys.

Grace & Family: Photo

We don't see them do it quite often because their court isn't nearly as formal, but looks like all the Monaco royals have a pretty good curtsy. Even Charlotte Casiraghi. No doubt she's curtsying to a priest or the Archbishop of Monaco. It's a lovely curtsy.

[USCtrojan]

What is this courtesy from Charlotte for? Raiders funeral? Is she courts eying his casket like the Swedish royals did guests did at Princess Lilian's funeral?

[MARG]

Charlotte isn't actually making a curtsey at all as, from her situation (inside a church) and the position of her right hand I would say she was making the sign of the Cross whist genuflecting. A pretty standard obeisance for those of the RC faith.

As an aside, genuflecting would definitely give someone an edge if they found themself in a situation that required a curtsey. Less likely to fall on their exterior posteriors!

[Moonmaiden23]

Exactly. Charlotte wasn't making a curtsy toward a priest or a bishop. In this case she was genuflecting toward the altar where the Blessed Sacrament reposes.

Many if not most Catholics make this gesture of reverence in church.

[Baron Brockdorf]

Nicholas Sarkozy bowing to Crown Princess Victoria