AIBU Why do English people curtsy to the royal family?

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I need to stop reading the Daily Mail, but there was an article there about how “low” you should curtsy to your betters.

...there was a photo of Theresa May curtsying to Prince William, of all people. I found it absolutely repulsive.

Think what you will of her, but should she be bowing and scraping in front of a 30-something dude that hasn’t done much with his life? She’s the PM fer chrissakes!!!

Queen doris, that was you? Remember it well. I would have helped you out when you and Camilla were slogging it out but I mistook you for Diana and left you to it.

Nope, no matter how hard I try, I cannot bring myself to give a flying fuck about people curtsying or bowing to the Royal family!

Can’t see the majority of Scots falling for it either tbh.

English? What about the Welsh, Scots and Irish? We can be sycophants too, you know

You do know it’s not just English people don’t you? Not even just British people. What an odd thread title

Yes, I’m not from the UK so got it all mixed up. I obviously meant British. Sorry!

And yes, he’s not done much with his life. Certainly nothing compared to Theresa May. That’s why the photo is so revolting.

I’ve met (for all of three minutes) the Queen at a Buckingham Palace garden party. Got invited with DH due to his job. I didn’t curtsy and nor did many others.

Irish

Northern Irish.

I don't particularly want to get into this again but the Queen is not head of state for the Irish.

Because you curtsy to the royal family, simples.
I can't say I've ever had the opportunity, most of us don't.
I suppose you could always revolt if you want to, cause a riot, or demonstrate.
Or just do like all us other commoners do and realise it doesn't apply to us

I curtsied to princess Anne, but I met her in my work capacity so no question that we wouldn't do so - would probably never be allowed to leave the office again.

It's an antiquated practice that has no place now

Yes, it is, but having queens, kings, having a Royal family is antiquated, I cannot think of anything more antiquated than that. As long as Royal families exist, I don't see the point of criticizing just the curtsy.

I was watching a TV prog abt Heathrow last night when the airport was expecting a specific visit from Prince Charles. (i.e. he wasn't arriving or departing on a flight.)
The staff were briefed by their manager that they had had 'instructions' from the Palace that when PC arrived and was going the meet and greet, the men were to bow, from the neck only, and women were to curtsey by placing one foot slightly in front of the other and sort of bobbing down.
Have to say it didn't sound exactly optional.....
and like fuck would I have curtsied-

Given the almighty mess Theresa May's making of running the country, I'm stunned anyone thinks her worthy of any gesture of respect.

I met a senior member of the royal family at a British embassy function as part of my job so had to go.
I was told not to curtesy and a slight bob of the head was all that was required.
I didn’t see anybody curtsey. I just shook hands.

I've met Charles, he doesn't insist on a curtsey. He has a bloody marvelous handshake!

Those of you bashing this as as antiquated tradition, are you similarly scathing of the traditions of other cultures or just your own? Would you go to Japan and refuse to bow?

I would bow and scrape. I love the royal family every single one of them.
If you disagree no problem. But I will leave you with this thought....we know who our head state will be for the next three generations, over 100 years at the current rate of succession.
Other countries like the USA don't and get to choose one every 4 years...look where it got them

Must admit, I think bowing and curtsying should be banned. The Prime Minister (much as I dislike her) shouldn't be bowing & scraping to anyone. I would never curtsy. Never.

I'm stunned anyone thinks her worthy of any gesture of respect.

No ones suggesting we curtesy to her, are they?

Whatever you think of her as PM (and I tend to agree), she's achieved much more academically and professionally than Wills ever has.

Alright then name Theresa May achievements.

TM is her maj's first minister. It's protocol. Not a big deal.

Those of you bashing this as as antiquated tradition, are you similarly scathing of the traditions of other cultures or just your own? Would you go to Japan and refuse to bow?

In Japan you bow as a way of greeting everyone. Not just a few people out of millions in one country. Basically, everyone is worth a bow.

Nobody should be offended to hear that it is an antiquated tradition, it is antiquated, that's a fact. Some people like to keep antiquated traditions and some don't.

It's absolutely bizarre.

Theresa May looked ridiculous when she curtsied to Prince William.

Given the almighty mess Theresa May's making of running the country, I'm stunned anyone thinks her worthy of any gesture of respect

This. I’m not a fan of bowing to anyone, but given the choice I’d choose a royal over TM any day.

I wouldn’t give her the time of day.

I don’t like TM but she garners more of my respect than the Royals purely because she has worked to earn her status.