If you ever find yourself in the presence of HM King Goodwill Zwelithini, this is how you should conduct yourself
ARRIVAL
On arrival His Majesty is met at the door by the main host, accompanied by one or two people.
People welcoming His Majesty do not extend their hands for a handshake, but His Majesty does.
His Majesty is not touched or hugged.
By the time His Majesty and his entourage are escorted to the hall, everybody should be seated.
The Praise Singer announces the entry of His Majesty, his entourage, and the hosts. His Majesty walks in front flanked by his host and security.
The Praise Singer walks about 1 metre ahead of the King.
Everybody stands up when His Majesty enters the venue. After His Majesty has taken his seat, all females take their seats. Men remain standing until the Praise Singer hails the King.
His Majesty, the King is the last (except in the presence of the State President) to be ushered into the venue and first to leave. This therefore, necessitate for the provision of a holding area to allow fir the smooth observing of this protocol, especially if a meal is involved after the function.
People do not walk about when the Praise Singer recites.
SEATING
If invited His Majesty sits on the right hand of the host.
If His Majesty is traveling with a Queen, she sits next to him on his right.
ADDRESSING THE KING
His majesty the King is addressed as, HIS MAJESTY THE KING, HIS MAJESTY, ISILO, INGONYAMA, HLANGALOMHLABATHI, ISILO SAMABANDLA.
It is not allowed to refer to His Majesty the King by his first names.
His Royal Highness is used commonly to refer to the Queens, and other members of the Royal Family.
HAIL THE KING
The sequence of hailing the King is:-
WENA WENDLOVU!
WENA WENDLOVU!
BAYEDE!
The Praise Singer will lead the sequence.
The Audience follows the same sequence.
It is not necessary for every speaker to hail the King in this same sequence; they may simply address him as HIS MAJESTY or in one of the following terms HIS MAJESTY THE KING, ISILO, INGONYAMA, HLANGALOMHLABATHI, ISILO SAMABANDLA.
The Queens are addressed as HER ROYAL HIGHNESS or NDLUNKULU.
The Kings’ wives are addressed as the Queens or in zulu NDLUNKULU NOT WIFE.
The Praise Singer is referred to as INYOSI not IMBONGI, this is in respect of one of the Kings’ first names.
DECORATION / DRAPING
Black cloth is not allowed.
Royal colours are Royal Blue and Royal Maroon.
People sitting closer to the King are not allowed to sit with their backs to His Majesty.
THE KINGS’ ADDRESS
His Majesty is invited by a special selected person to the podium after having briefly presented.
The King speaks towards the end of the programme. No one speaks after His Majesty has spoken, except the one who gives a vote of thanks or makes announcements, with some exceptions as demanded by circumstances.
EATING
No cameras while King is eating.
It is not allowed to disturb the King while breaking bread.
Up and down movements from the Kings’ table while the King is seated is not allowed.
Those breaking bread with the King do not leave the room/hall until his Majesty leaves.
GENERAL CONTACT
His Majesty is not touched or hugged.
The seats next to His Majesty must always be occupied. If the host goes to the podium the next person must go and sit nearest to the King.
His Majesty may not be asked any questions about his children or queens.
INTERVIEWS
It is not generally allowed to conduct interviews with the King.
His address will be made available to members of the media who may not be able to record His Majesty while addressing the audience.
The host will communicate changes and amendments to the programme/procedure only to the designated official, not to His Majesty the King directly.
From the King's website,
Royal Zulu Monarch