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Original poster

AIBU Why do English people curtsy to the royal family?

292 replies

PineapplePower · 10/08/2018 14:15

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!!!

OP posts:
sue51 · 10/08/2018 21:32

I find it hard to accept anyone believes in the divine right of kings. I would love to see a restructuring of the the royals. Anyone not pulling their weight or too expensive would be made redundant and their roles phased out.

Winebottle · 10/08/2018 21:32

I don't think anyone actually believes in divine right but it is important to act as if we do.

That is how the constitution operates. The PM works for the queen.

It does not matter what you think of the individuals. They are not a celeb family that comes in and out of popularity. They are an essential part of our constitution.

Laiste · 10/08/2018 21:34

If it is to survive with any real integrity it needs to get low key/slimmed down to just the core royals IMO.

All the grubby hangers on who do bugger all and expecting to be treated as something special Yorks for eg will do more to slowly kill the monarchy than all the republican uprising you can imagine.

Hushnownobodycares · 10/08/2018 21:35

He's not known as Workshy Wills for nothing. He's adept at milking the perks of royal life and dodging anything he doesn't fancy. He could and should have made it clear curtseying wasn't necessary let alone from the elected representative of the plebs people.

amicissimma · 10/08/2018 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SingleCellParamecium · 10/08/2018 21:36

I met Prince Charles once, in a work capacity. I was all set to curtsey but when it came to it, I was too embarrassed to do so. It just didn’t feel like something you’d do to a real life person...so I just shook his hand. He didn’t seem to mind.

LaurieMarlow · 10/08/2018 21:41

I don't think anyone actually believes in divine right but it is important to act as if we do.

I find this an intriguing statement.

What are you afraid of? What would happen if we admitted that a divine right to rule is total bollocks?

Laiste · 10/08/2018 21:48

What would happen if we admitted that a divine right to rule is total bollocks?

A massive change in the status quo and a minority of people losing out of vast amounts of privilege and wealth. Which is why they'll fight it tooth and nail.

Winebottle · 10/08/2018 21:50

Laurie

People would say if the royals are just like you and I, what is the point of having them.

LaurieMarlow · 10/08/2018 21:56

People would say if the royals are just like you and I, what is the point of having them.

Well, yeah. Then we could have a sensible discussion about their role and what kind of head of state we want to have.

Though thinking about it, you're absolutely right. All our energies are currently taken up with making a hash of brexit. We don't need this further massive upheaval. Maybe in 20 years after Charles runs the institution into the ground

sue51 · 10/08/2018 21:57

Winebottle I have often wondered that.

GunpowderGelatine · 10/08/2018 22:00

I have to roll my eyes a bit at the people who profess "I would NEVER curtesy to the Royal family".

They don't go up to randoms in the street and say "curtesy, peasant!". If you see pictures of people curtesying or bowing to them it's because the media have been invited to a photo opportunity that has been painstakingly planned by Kensington Palace's press team, which means they have sought groups of people ready and willing to take part in the photo opp because ultimately it benefits them.

For example, a group which has benefitted from the Royal's charities. They aren't going to wait until the day, which is an opportunity to raise their profile and celebrate what they've done, then get all pissy about having to curtesy. If they were that way inclined they would be taking part in the photo opp in the first place.

Same with Theresa May - it's in her interest to do these things, and she's just following the customs. No one cares if you personally would never curtesy to a Royal!

Winebottle · 10/08/2018 22:04

The uncertainty of Brexit is nothing compared to smashing apart the state as we know it.

We have the most stable constitutional system in the world which has given us prosperity for centuries and people want to get rid of tried and tested rules and trust May or Corbyn to write them from scratch.

It is crazy to take that gamble because you are team Dianna or whatever.

Madmarchpear · 10/08/2018 22:08

My dear brother met Prince Charles on Xmas eve as an employee (blue collar) and his staff said don't worry about protocol. On Charles' departure my brother shouted merry Xmas your majesty like Oliver fucking Twist. Apparently the whole crowd burst into hysterics including Charles. My bro is a socialist and sensed such a genuine moment it completely changed his view of the token monarchy. I don't think they take all that shit as seriously as people think.

sue51 · 10/08/2018 22:09

Ireland seems to do very well without a monarchy. Maybe we should have a look at their constitution.

Doghorsechicken · 10/08/2018 22:19

Why do people despise the Royals so much? They all work/do charity work, they bring a lot to our country. They were also BORN into it, it wasn’t their choice. I think they’re all fabulous!
People that hate them tend to be jealous of their wealth & grace Grin

LeftRightCentre · 10/08/2018 22:21

Because it's an archaic and useless institution, Dog, that taxpayers subsidise to the tune of tens of millions. NO ONE forces a royal to live that life, they can abdicate their titles. They have plenty of personal wealth to sustain them.

sue51 · 10/08/2018 22:22

I don't hate them. I think they're past their sell by and we should take our time to find a more realistic alternative for the age we live in.

PlatypusPie · 10/08/2018 22:27

Because it’s an accepted etiquette towards the head of state of this country and her family and it’s British, not English .

Though we know you are being goady, OP, , not just terminally dim.

famousfour · 10/08/2018 22:28

I’m not British - my home country does not have a monarchy. I would find curtseying to anyone weird. And the PM to a young man seems odd! But each to their own. No one has to.

RoseWhiteTips · 10/08/2018 22:53

Come on, though. May’s curtesy is comedy gold. She looks like a flailing stick insect. 😂

Thatssomebadhatharry · 10/08/2018 22:55

It’s ok they just chuck in her how to behave around humans (royal addition) chip and she’s good to go. Don’t worry about her feelings, she has none!

DesignStatement · 10/08/2018 23:16

Cannot comprehend how anyone would curtesy to anybody, let alone to an embarrassing and irrelevant family who are allowed to live off taxpayers earnings due to an accident of birth or marriage. What exactly do people feel obliged to bow to like medieval serfs? I do so wish that monarchists would take on the financial burden of the lot of them and allow republicans an opt out clause.

GunpowderGelatine · 11/08/2018 00:11

I don't think they take all that shit as seriously as people think.

I have met Charles and Anne on separate occasions and can honestly say they were both very warm and kind and chatty. Neither had the airs or graces I was expecting and didn't worry about protocol.

Hushnownobodycares · 11/08/2018 11:36

People that hate them tend to be jealous of their wealth & grace

Oh, you mean wealth that's has its roots in historic land and property grabs and years and years worth of favourable tax breaks.

Can you elaborate on their grace?