How to behave in the monarchy's presence

[ditchdj]

I know there are a lot of users from the UK and its "commonwealth". So, I've always wondered: what is the proper etiquette for behaving when you're in the presence of the Queen??? I've always wondered this after I heard Michael J. Fox mention that it was proper to always face the Queen when she's present. But what if you bump into her. It there a certain thing you have to do and cannot do? Is it rude to just say "How are you?" and offer to shake your hand? Or are you supposed to address her as "Your majesty"??? Also, what is considered proper etiquette for a foreigner to be in the UK under the presence of the Queen?

[Barefootgirl]

If you physically bump into the Queen, presumably you would say, "do excuse me", or something like that, as you would if you bumped into any human being. How likely are you to "bump into " the President? Well, its about that likely that you'd physically "bump into" the Queen - she's only a little lady, and her bodyguards are are there to look after her as much as they are to protect her, if you see what i mean. You might bump into her walking in Scotland, in fact in certain areas its quite likely, or you might come across her riding in the great Park at Windsor. Its always seemed only decent to not acknowledge her if she doesn't acknowwledge you first. She might just be out for a quiet ride to clear her head and not want people being deferential to her all the time. She's an old lady and a nice person, and she deserves a bit of peace and quiet.

Technically, its supposed to be rude to ask the Queen a question, and "How are you?" would fall into that category. If she's interested in you, she'll ask you a question.

Again, the technical rules of etiqutte require that you address her as Your Majesty the first time she speaks to you, and then you call her Ma'am after that.

On the issue of always facing the Queen, i have a good story about that. once, when the Queen was in Canada, she went to a Farriers Competition. Prior to HM's arrival, all the farriers had been warned that on no account were the horses' rears to face the Queen, for reasons of Royal protocol. Unfortunately for one poor chap, when HM arrived, she took an interest in his work and walked round and round the horse, trying to get a look at his workmanship from all directions. the poor smith had to hop round, spinning the horse on the spot to try and keep its bottom away from the Royal face. The really amusing thing? The Queen has been riding since she was tiny, and has probably seen more horses' bottoms (in the literal sense) than you or I have had hot dinners.

I have only met the Queen in crowds - she once turned up to Moorfields Eye Hospital while my mum was attending an appointment ther, so I shook hands with her there. However, i have met Princess Anne twice to speak to (both times at horsy events) and she is great - very down to earth, very friendly, very sensible. the second time i met her, my daughter refused to believe that she was actually a Princess. n her 4 year old world, princesses are all beautiful and have golden hair and wear frilly dresses. They do not have their hair stuffed up under an ancient hat and be wearing old jeans and wellies.

Also, what is considered proper etiquette for a foreigner to be in the UK under the presence of the Queen? i don't really understand what you are asking here. I think that as a foreigner you are here on the Queen's suffrance or something like that, but to be honest, the technical bit about the Queen's suffrance only really applies to diplomats.

[Kiwi]

Protocol is more relaxed thesedays, there are things that you are supposed to do, but its not like you'll be thrown in klink if you dont.

Heres a link I found http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page236.asp

[Cia]

I take it that saying, "Yo, Mrs. Queen! What's up!", would get you the stare of death? :)

[KuzcoLlama]

I take it that saying, "Yo, Mrs. Queen! What's up!", would get you the stare of death? :)

Or perhaps just death?

:D

[AirHostess]

When you first say her name you call her 'Your Majesty' and the rest of the time you call her ma'am to rhyme with jam. My grandmother was a PA for a lady in waiting to the Queen. :) So I know a bit ;)

[RecoveringKinkoid]

See, that's why England is so much cooler than the US. You all have bona fide royalty. Excuse my quaint yank sensibilty about it, but that's cool fairy tale stuff! :D Over here, what do we have?

Britney Fricking Spears. :(

[Rapscallion]

Bona fide? The house of Windsor used to be known as Sax-Coburg (Spelling?), what with being a German family and everything. It was changed rather quickly upon the commencement of one of the world wars.

Funny - I've seen many people in proudly republican countries that starry-eyed over our monarchy, but the average person over here just get on with life. You have your extremes - some people are heavily against and others are heavily pro monarchy, but most people aren't overly excited.

That said, I'm not swapping Brenda for Ms Spears.

Rapscallion

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Shhhh....don't ruin it for me. :lol:

[ditchdj]

I wonder if the Queen gets tired of being addressed formally at times. I know that I would after awhile I'd feel like an Army Drill Sergeant ("DONT CALL ME SIR! I WORK FOR A LIVING!!!!")

[erik316wttn]

So I take it it would be considered rude to ask the Queen to pull your finger?

[Barefootgirl]

I bet she'd laugh. Flap-Ears would laugh (Flap-Ears of course, being Prince Charles). Prince Harry would probably break your finger...

[Mr. Rager!]

The royal family irks me...

It could be that they are really nothing more than a symbol for their country anymore. At least, that's the way I understand it.

I guess, I can't see how the Queen could really get all that angry with someone who is foriegn as long as they are polite.

Personally, if I saw the Queen, I'd ignore her.

[Mikkel]

The royal family irks me...

It could be that they are really nothing more than a symbol for their country anymore. At least, that's the way I understand it.

I guess, I can't see how the Queen could really get all that angry with someone who is foriegn as long as they are polite.

Personally, if I saw the Queen, I'd ignore her.

That's what I do, just ignore them (the Danish royals of course), it is better manners too I think. I admit that I pitied princess Mary who I saw some weeks ago when my grandson and me was in Legoland, everybody ran to look at her and she was surrounded by photographers and TV-cameras. I ran the opposite direction and we got first in line for some rides:p while everybody else looked at her. Poor girl, I think in her place I would either get my husband to abdicate or get a divorce.