Royal EtiquettePlanning to have tea with the Queen? Here are some Royal Etiquette that you must know. Referenced from Huma Khan from ABC news, Rachel Kelly, a public relations executive at VisitBritain, the U.K.'s official tourism office and Paul Gauger, the director of regional press for VisitBritain, offered his advice to "Good Morning America."  Royal EtiquetteTalking to the QueenThis is how we should greet the queen. greet the queen as "her majesty," then as "ma'am."A common mistake is to refer the queen as "her royal highness". Her title should 'her majesty' and after that say 'ma'am'. Do not bow or curtsy."As an American when you're actually meeting the queen you don't have to do a curtsy or a bow because she's not the head of the state of America," Paul Gauger, the director of regional press for VisitBritain, offered his advice to 'Good Morning America'. "What might be a nice sign of respect if you're a gentleman, you can do a slight nod...and some women, if they want to they can do a little bob." Do not offer your hand to the queen.In his very own words, "do not attempt to touch the queen, or any member of the royal family." We should wait for them to extend their hand to us and when we shake hands, all we have to do is to be nice and gentle. That means no gripping it tightly or pumping it. Also, no hugs, no kiss on the cheek, no touching the shoulder. And if the queen doesn't extend her hand? It's not a sign of disrespect but maybe she is about to start a conversation with you. Royal EtiquetteNo Touch Rule Like shaking hands, the queen's visitors have to wait until she extends her hand to them. As I mentioned earlier, that means no gripping handshakes or pumping it. And definitely no hugs, no kiss on the cheek, no touching the shoulder, putting your arm around the queen. It is not socially acceptable to even take her elbow to direct her. Recently President Obama and Michelle Obama visited the Queen and even when posing for a picture, they stood apart with hands in the front, side or back. Royal EtiquetteGreetingsUnless you are British, you do not have to curtsy in the presence of the queen. According to ABC news*, British women do a small curtsy and men bow their heads when meeting the queen. Since Obamas are not subjects of the royal family, they did not need to bow or curtys, though President Obama was gracious to bow slightly from the waist as he met the queen and her husband. Greeting the queen? Use "Your Majesty", then, "ma'am". Greeting the U.s. president is "Mr President." ref: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/International/story?id=7228105&page=1 Royal EtiquetteGiftsGift giving is also part of the etiquette of meeting royalty. According to ABC news, The President and first lady gave the queen a video iPod with an inscription with uploaded songs and accessories, plus a rare musical songbook signed by Richard Rodgers. The queen gave the president a silver framed photograph of herself and her husband, the official picture she gives all visiting dignitaries. Royal EtiquetteAttireAttire etiquette is generally conservative though it is acceptable to sport little sleeveless dresses. In the article, "U.S. guide to royal etiquette: Don't call the Queen Liz", it says that the Officials for the Governor of Virginia Tim Kaine seem apprehensive enough to devote an entire page to royal etiquette on his website. It quotes, "Members of the Royal Family do not wish anyone to be put to unnecessary expense by buying special clothes, hats or gloves." (There is even a Royal Welcome hotline for extra advice.) ref: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-451559/U-S-guide-royal-etiquette-Dont-Queen-Liz.html Royal EtiquettePolite ConversationIf the queen chooses engage in polite conversation with you, you should never ask anything about their personal life for example her famous grand children, Prince Harry and Prince William. Never try to call her 'Queen' or "Elizabeth" or "Liz" whatever name you have heard in the media. Be natural, you don't have to mimic her british accent back to her when speaking. During the conversation, make gentle eye contact, look happy and be light hearted. But you don't have to go and let loose your barrage of jokes either. And oh, never turning your back on the queen. Royal EtiquetteIf you were invited to tea by the QueenTea is usually served accompanied by small snacks. Tea Etiquette is observed such as raising only the teacup to drink, not the cup and saucer, and to return the cup to teh sauce after each sip. Allow chewing loudly, not closing your mouth with you chew, basic manners protocol basic manners protocol like taking small bites, not slurping, talking with your mouth full, stacking too much on one plate... Oh and last one, we should all stop eating after the queen takes her last bite. You might also be interested in:
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