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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you met the Queen, would you curtsey (or bow if you are a man)?

129 replies

BakeliteBelle · 03/05/2011 08:07

Because I would like to think - like Cherie Blaire - I wouldn't.

OP posts:
cory · 03/05/2011 08:09

I was brought up (abroad) to curtsey to all elderly people and dutifully did so until I reached puberty, so I don't suppose I'd have any problems getting back into the swing of it.

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 03/05/2011 08:11

No way.

I don't curtsey for anyone.

southeastastra · 03/05/2011 08:12

oh get over yourselves

Bogeyface · 03/05/2011 08:13

No I wouldnt.

ChocolateTeacup · 03/05/2011 08:13

Yes, she's the Queen, why wouldn't I?

NinkyNonker · 03/05/2011 08:15

Yes, I would.

frakyouveryverymuch · 03/05/2011 08:16

Did. Would again.

Mind you I was expected to curtesy to my battle-axe of a great-grandmother when very small too.

ShatnersBassoon · 03/05/2011 08:20

Yes, I would. She deserves a little nod of respect I reckon.

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 03/05/2011 08:21

You would if you wanted to, CT, of course. That's your choice.

I see curtseying or bowing as a physical demonstration that you believe the person in front of you is better than you, superior to you. my personal view is that an accident of birth doesn't make someone better than me or deserving of me bowing down before them.

I personally don't think the queen is superior to me or anyone else. she wasn't voted in, didn't achieve royalty through hard work and effort. so isn't deserving of any specific admiration for it. I don't believe that people are born better or worse than anyone else or that someone is entitled to be bowed down before.

But - everyone sees it differently and I know that many people truly do feel that the royal family are somehow special, and that's their choice.

nagynolonger · 03/05/2011 08:21

I wouldn't. Why would I treat her differently from any other sweet little old lady!

Vallhala · 03/05/2011 08:23

Absolutely not, for the reasons which Hectate has already given.

emptyshell · 03/05/2011 08:23

I don't support the monarchy - I wouldn't.

Friend's girl was picked to present a bouqet to her when small - I don't believe she did either.

Would ask hubby who's been to one of the Buck Palace garden parties for his charity stuff but he's gone to work.

exoticfruits · 03/05/2011 08:28

I would ask what the etiqette was and fit in with it. If I wasn't prepared to do that I wouldn't meet the Queen. When in Rome............

Psammead · 03/05/2011 08:28

If I knew I would be meeting her and had time to think then I would. Not to do so would be a bit of a snub, and although I am not a royalist, neither am I rude.

If I just saw her in Tesco or something then it wouldn't occur to me! I'd probably shake hands.

BalloonSlayer · 03/05/2011 08:30

I would.

I don't think she is superior as a person to me, but she is head of state, and it's what you are supposed to do for the head of state in this country.

So if I was a soldier I would salute . . . erm whoever I was supposed to salute, because it's what you do.

If I am in church and they start prayers I bow my head and put my hands together - because it's what you do.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 03/05/2011 08:33

Can't imagine a scenario where I'd be required to meet the Queen, but if I were asked to meet her I think I'd politely decline.

MarioandLuigi · 03/05/2011 08:34

I have met her twice actually and have done both times.

QuintessentialPains · 03/05/2011 08:36

I find that I agree with both Hecate and Balloonslayer.
How odd. I must ponder this further.

I would for sure not curtsey for the Norwegian royal family. Not the young ones, for sure. Maybe the king, because I do respect him as a person, he is doing a lot of good. The young ones just flitters about the world showing off their designer gear.

oohlaalaa · 03/05/2011 08:45

I definitely wouldnt.

I'm a hypocritical republican, I dont agree with the principal of a Royal Family, but enjoyed watching the wedding, and enjoy the royal soap opera/ gossip columns. Makes better reading than Jordan and Kerry Katona.

ajandjjmum · 03/05/2011 08:54

I would.

exoticfruits · 03/05/2011 08:54

Surely if you don't want to 'do the whole royal occasion bit' then you wouldn't want to meet the Queen-or am I missing something?
e.g.If (in the unlikely event) I got an OBE or similar I would go for the whole experience, hat, photo etc. I wouldn't say 'I will go to the palace but do it my way'! If my principles were such that I didn't want to- then I would decline the OBE.
No one forces you to meet the Queen! No one expects you to curtsey if she just talks to you in a walkabout. In any occasion that requires you to curtsey you would know in advance and decline the occasion.

MissPenteuth · 03/05/2011 08:58

I would, it seems like to proper etiquette to me. But I can understand people's reasoning why they wouldn't.

MissPenteuth · 03/05/2011 08:58

like the proper etiquette*

mrsravelstein · 03/05/2011 08:59

this occurred to me when watching the wedding too, seeing camilla curtsey to the queen on arrival was a bit uncomfortable.

i don't have a problem with the Royal Family as an institution, i'm pretty neutral on them, but i think i would find it very difficult to curtsey to another person as if to suggest they are somehow more superior.

Becaroooo · 03/05/2011 09:00

Nope. Because;

a) I am a republican.

and

b)I would fall over.