Protocol for royalty?

Question

If someone,say an American were to meet the Queen would they be bound by the same protocol as someone from Britain?Aside from matters of good taste or good manners is everyone expected to curtsey or bow or give the title like "His Royal Highness" when speaking to them.I know there are stringent rules for people under the sovereign on protocol but is anyone everywhere supposed to follow it or would get in trouble if they didnt?I dont know how to word what I mean.I assume the president would expect to bow etc,but say I was an American celebrity who met the Queen but didnt agree with the protocol would I be expected to follow those rules when I am not from that country?

Answer 1

I am an American who can answer your question. You first address the Queen with "Your Majesty," then as "Ma'am". As an American you are not expected to bow or curtsy. A simple handshake will do. The Queen extends her hand,you shake it,but don't squeeze too hard.Otherwise,politeness,common

courtesy are the rule of the day.

Basic etiquette is enough! You let the Queen lead the short conversation-she has many people to greet;her ladies-in-waiting are there to cut in to the long speeches of those who monopolize the Queen's meet-and-greet-time.

Answer 2

Early American ambassadors to the United Kingdom and France set the precedent for US citizens, who need not bow to royalty.  However, Americans do follow the established protocol for meeting the Queen or any other member of the Royal Family:

1)  Wait for the Royal to speak first.

2)  Wait for the Royal to extend his or her hand.  If a woman greeting the Queen chooses to wear gloves, which need not be white, she shouldn't remove them before meeting Her Majesty.

3)  Women need not wear hats before 6:30 p.m.

4)  Call the Royal by his or her appropriate title, using a more formal title, such as "Your Majesty" for the Queen  and "Your Royal Highness" for the Duke of Edinburgh on first meeting and there after (if the conversation continues) "Ma'am" or "Sir".

5)  Stand when a Royal enters a room.

6)  Don't turn one's back on the Royal.

These manners aren't too difficult for most Americans to handle.  Most Southerners, such as myself, for example, call anyone older than themselves "sir" or "ma'am"; men seated at a table in a restaurant rise if a woman comes over to their table as do women when greeting an older person. Both Houses of Congress rise when the President enters the House Chamber to address the joint session.

Finally, I'd like to retire the stereotype that all Americans are boorish clods.  Benjamin Franklin charmed Georgian England, and Thomas Jefferson achieved rock star-status at the Court of Versailles, so we have a long tradition of gallantry to uphold.  I'd also hope that Americans extend similar courtesies to everyone they meet abroad since we are all roving ambassadors.  

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Answer 3

behave the same as one would meeting any head of state ............ or even the pope your not likley to hi5 the pope!!!

Answer 4

Add to which, it is perfectly proper for foreigners to behave as they would to their own head of state - i.e. if you wouldn't bow or curtsey to your own president, there is no obligation on you to do so to the Queen. (Jackie Kennedy did, but that was her decision.) If you were from India, say, and your normal form of greeting is the "namaste" (putting your hands together and bowing), it would be perfectly proper to use that.

That said, it is of course basic good manners not to be pushy, and to greet foreigners in a way that they will be comfortable with. E.g. maybe back home you routinely shake hands with anyone you've just been introduced to, but you wouldn't (I hope) grab the hand of a veiled Arab lady, because that's not normal or proper in  her culture. Same with HM the Queen.

Answer 5

There is nothing to force you to abide by the rules.

You should show respect because she probably the most powerful woman in the world.

I would hope that you would follow the customs of our country if you were meeting the queen in the UK, so bow.

It would be the same as saying Merci instead of thank you while on holiday in France even if you knew very little French just show respect.

The USA has a very different culture to our own with some very similar and some quit different customs. So I think you would be OK greeting her in the same way you would greet your president, so still use the correct title it may seem over the top but its the same as you saying Mr. President.

If you completely ignored all protocol you would just be playing up to the negative American stereotype.

Answer 6

From the Queen's own website....

Lots of people ask this question. There are no obligatory codes of behaviour - simply courtesy.

There are also no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.

For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.

On presentation to The Queen, the correct formal address is 'Your Majesty' and subsequently 'Ma'am'.

For male members of the Royal Family the same rules apply, with the title used in the first instance being 'Your Royal Highness' and subsequently 'Sir'.

For other female members of the Royal Family the first address is conventionally 'Your Royal Highness' followed by 'Ma'am' in later conversation.

Answer 7

what happened to the equality forced on us all? they deserve nothing special from any of us except the normal courtesy and respect given to anyone else mate.

Answer 8

No, you don't have to curtsey or bow.  I don't think the President does that, either.  Smile, and if the Queen extends her hand to you, then you take it.  Make whatever small talk.