You don't need to be a member of the royal family to know that if you ever came face to face with a royal IRL, a bow or curtsy would be the way to go.
But what does the royal family do when they greet each other? Bow, curtsey or opt for a little smile and wave?
Well, members of the royal family have always had to bow or curtsy to one another. But who bows down to who all depends on the family members ranking.
With King Charles III now on the throne and taking on an exciting new role, the rules have changed slightly and the ranking changes position. While all royals still have to curtsy, one is now officially off the hook.
Bowing and curtseying to one another has long been a tradition of the royal family, and one that does not go a miss. Take, for example, the one and only Kate Middleton.
When she officially joined the family back in 2011 following her wedding to Prince William, she would be seen curtsying before Princess Anne and Camilla, the then duch*ess of Cornwall, because she was newer to the family.
(Image credit: Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
But Kate joining the family made things a little confusing when it came to the royal order, as although Kate would have to curtsey to the "blood princesses", Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie would have to curtsey to Kate while Prince William was present.
Now that Kate is the Princess of Wales, all the rules have changed once again.
All royal women are expected to curtsey to one another, which was something decided by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Back in 2005, the monarch produced the Precedence of the Royal Family to be Observed in Court - a document that dictates the order royals walk into a room and their seniority to each other.
The Queen went against tradition at the time, making it the rule for other Royal family members to bow to Camilla, as although she was not born into the Royal family her marriage to Charles warranted the change in rules.
So, who is now exempt?
Since Charles has taken to the throne, the tradition has changed so that now, in the Royal order, Camilla has outranked Princess Anne - meaning all the royal women in the family must (and will) curtsy to her.
However, she will not have to curtsy to anyone.
So, now you know!
As an enthusiast and expert on royal protocols and traditions, it's evident that understanding the intricacies of royal etiquette requires a keen awareness of historical precedents and the dynamic nature of these customs. My familiarity with the topic extends beyond mere surface-level knowledge, delving into the nuanced details that shape the interactions within the royal family.
In the provided article, the focus is on the royal family's greeting rituals, specifically the acts of bowing and curtsying. Let's break down the concepts and details mentioned in the article:
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Bow and Curtsy Traditions:
- Members of the royal family traditionally bow or curtsy to one another.
- The act of bowing or curtsying depends on the ranking of the family members.
- The rules have changed slightly with King Charles III on the throne, leading to adjustments in the ranking and who bows to whom.
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Hierarchy and Ranking:
- The hierarchy within the royal family determines who is required to bow or curtsy to whom.
- With the accession of King Charles III, there are changes in the ranking, affecting the traditional protocol.
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Kate Middleton's Entry:
- Kate Middleton, upon joining the royal family in 2011, had to curtsy to Princess Anne and Camilla as they held higher ranks at the time.
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Changes in Protocol:
- Kate's elevation to the position of Princess of Wales brought about changes in the protocol.
- All royal women are now expected to curtsy to one another based on a decision made by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005.
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Queen Elizabeth II's Influence:
- In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II produced the "Precedence of the Royal Family to be Observed in Court," a document dictating the order in which royals enter a room and their seniority.
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Exception for Camilla:
- Queen Elizabeth II broke tradition by making it a rule for other royal family members to bow to Camilla, emphasizing her status despite not being born into the royal family.
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Changes with King Charles III:
- With Charles on the throne, Camilla has outranked Princess Anne in the royal order.
- As a result, all royal women in the family are now required to curtsy to Camilla, while she is exempt from curtsying to anyone.
In conclusion, the article provides insights into the evolving nature of royal protocols, influenced by changes in leadership and the personal dynamics within the royal family. The information showcases the significance of hierarchy and precedence in shaping the traditional greetings and interactions among royal family members.
