10 Things You Should Never Do in Front of the Queen Elizabeth II
10 Things You Should Never Do in Front of the Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth has met hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in her lifetime. But one must remember when meeting Her Majesty, there are just certain things you shouldn’t do in order to avoid looking rude or offending her.
You shouldn’t touch.
Protocol says anyone meeting Queen Elizabeth for the first time should wait for her to extend her hand first. And even afterwards, contact should be kept to a minimum. That means hugs and kisses are a major no no.
You shouldn’t be sitting.
As soon as the Queen enters the room, everyone must stand to greet her and should not sit down until she does. Only then is it polite to take a rest.
You shouldn’t just stand there.
If you’re a citizen of the United States, you can simply shake hands, but in Great Britain, men and women must bow or curtsy. When Angelina Jolie, who is a U.S. citizen met the Queen, you see she did a little of all three, because it’s better to be safe than sorry!
You shouldn’t show up casual.
Dress to impress! If there’s a dress code, follow it. And never, under any circumstances, show up in flip-flops, torn jeans, or a super revealing outfit.
You shouldn’t show up without a gift.
Bringing a gift is a must, but it should always be appropriate for the occasion. For instance, if the Queen visits your hometown, it’s common to give her something that is from there and indicative of your culture.
You shouldn’t use nicknames.
Even though you might feel like you’ve known the Queen your whole life, remember: she doesn’t know you. When you first meet her, address her as “Your Majesty.” Use “Ma’am” the rest of the time, except when you say farewell, which should be “Your Majesty” once again.
You shouldn’t speak unless spoken to.
When around the Queen, you should follow the same rule some people use for kids, which is “little children should be seen and not heard.” This allows for the Queen to carry the conversation—or put it to a stop, if she so desires.
You shouldn’t lag behind.
When walking with the Queen, keep the same pace as her. This ensures you’re alongside her and can introduce her as needed when moving from room to room.
You shouldn’t eat first.
It’s customary that the Queen should take the first bite at the table and when she’s done eating, you should be too.
You shouldn’t slurp your tea.
Since tea is huge part of the British culture, you should drink it as the Queen does. Hold the tea cup, not the cup and saucer, when at the table, and never, ever slurp as you drink.
No touching!