Let's talk royals
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If this is not the most gracious, chivalrous and well-meaning how-do-you-do, then I am a monkey’s uncle.
On Saturday, Her Majesty attended the Epsom races, alongside her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Michael of Kent.
RULE BRITANNIA (and God Bless Chris Jackson for being a superb photographer) [Read more…]
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Hurrah! It’s the first day of 2015’s Royal Windsor Horse Show! Time to put away the hats, purse and gloves and throw on a respectable (but casual) skirt, for the RWHS is a time to stop and smell the manure.
According to the Daily Mail, the Royal Windsor Horse Show has been put on since 1943, when it was originally created as a war-time fundraiser. Her Majesty was joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, who greeted the monarch with a customary curtsy and one kiss on each cheek. [Read more…]
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She carries out countless engagements each year, will surpass Queen Victoria as the longest-serving British monarch in history come September, and takes part in a parade put on as an “official birthday celebration” (despite being in June), but one day out of the year is meant just for Queen Elizabeth II alone.
On April 21st, 1926, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born to the Duke and Duchess of York on Bruton Street in London. At the time, she was third-in-line to the throne, not expected to rule since her uncle David (who reigned for a short time as Edward VIII) was Prince of Wales. [Read more…]
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The royal family attended a Service of Commemoration for troops who were stationed in Afghanistan at St Paul’s Cathedral today in London. The men and Princess Anne were in full military regalia as they made their way into the service, while the Queen and Prince Philip arrived last, as tradition dictates.
The Windsors gathered with politicians, injured soldiers and families who lost loved ones in battle during the commemoration. The BBC’s royal correspondent Sarah Campbell tweeted that the service was very “moving” and “it was a real privilege to speak to some veterans and their families.”
453 British troops were killed in Afghanistan since combat started 13 years ago.
[Wikipedia]
“I was so pleased to be asked to play The Queen in Peter Morgan’s brilliant play,” Thomas told The Telegraph. “To be directed by Stephen [Daldry] will be a real privilege and I am very much looking forward to meeting my Prime Ministers when we start rehearsals in March. [Read more…]
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63 years ago today, His Majesty King George VI died at Sandringham. Since there is never a passing of time without a sovereign, his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, was now queen. [Read more…]
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You won’t find a bigger fan of Her Majesty than thisgirl. What other leader – male or female – filled a massive pair of shoes at 25, reigned through 11 prime ministers (and counting) and still carries out royal engagements at 88?
Today, the Queen and Prince Philip attended Sunday service at the church of St Peter and St Paul near King’s Lynn, England. After, the Queen warmly greeted well-wishers and accepted flowers, which complemented her pink ensemble. [Read more…]
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One can imagine that Commonwealth citizens gathered round their tellies at 3pm GMT to her the Queen give her annual Christmas broadcast. My nana, who came down with a terrible sinus infection (she’s fine, thank you for asking), was able to catch the whole thing before popping round one’s house for a cranberry-vodka cocktail. [Read more…]
It’s a grand gesture, and one that’s been around for as long as there has been a monarchy. And though it’s not mandatory to bow or curtsy to the Queen or a member of the royal family, many do it out of respect. While it’s not limited to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms, it is rare to see an American do it.
“I curtsy to her every time I see her,” the Queen’s oldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips told Majesty Magazine back in 2008. “The thing with my grandmother is she is still my grandmother and she’s very approachable, but she’s also from an era where that was how it was done. But there aren’t many people who know how it’s done. I know because I have grown up with it.”
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The Queen’s family always greets her first with a kiss, then with a bow or curtsy. Watch the royal family greet the Queen in the video below (specifically Phillips, her brother, Peter Phillips, and their step-father, Sir Timothy Laurence at the :19 mark)
In 2012, the Sunday Telegraph claimed the Queen sent out a memo reminding all family members about curtsying, but the story wasn’t confirmed by the palace, who told People it was a “private matter” for the Queen.
Tldr; it’s complicated. The Duchess of Cambridge is to curtsy to “blood royals” (Princesses Anne, Beatrice and Eugenie) when not with Prince William, for example
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“Updating the Order of Precedence has been a simple matter of following the precedent set when the Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker Bowles [in 2005],” a palace aide told the Telegraph at the time.
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Rumor has it that the royals can’t stand a deep, dramatic curtsy, but there are some (Margaret Thatcher, Joan Collins) who can’t resist taking a dip when they meet Her Majesty (can’t blame them).
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Well done, Carey Mulligan.
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It’s tradition for the royal bride to curtsy to the Queen after the wedding ceremony. Diana did it, as did Catherine, Meghan and Eugenie (though Diana’s, Catherine’s, and Eugenie’s were the only ones caught on camera). The deep curtsy is elegant and a rare thing to witness.
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Debrett’s etiquette advisor, Jo Bryant advises anyone who meets a royal to “Put your right foot behind your left foot. Briefly bend the knees with one foot forward keeping the upper body straight. Repeat when the member of the Royal family leaves.”
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Buckingham Palace has shared a few Instagrams from inside the Queen’s official London residence, and it’s really putting yours truly in the holiday spirit. Well done, ma’am and courtiers. [Read more…]