Page 5 | to ask should people still be bowing/curtseying to royalty

bringincrazyback · 2021-08-17T15:32:56+00:00

...in this day and age? And if so, why? (Usual disclaimers apply: long-standing member, not a journo, no Daily Fail affiliations. Question inspired by something that's come up in a book I'm reading; I'm curious to know what others think. Personally I think it's an obsequious practice that should have died out decades ago.)

cabingirl · 17/08/2021 20:46

@Marzipanfruit

I hope that then extends to all hereditary titles, not just those sitting in the Lords. I don't understand how anyone can accept the concept of the aristocracy - or why some people bow and scrape to them. I am polite to everyone, but no better or worse than anyone either.

But hereditary titles are just words. It really doesn't bother me if someone wants to style themselves as an Earl etc.

However, it shouldn't automatically entitle them to a seat on a governing body though as that affects everyone else.

Arrogant people are arrogant people - there are plenty of people without aristocratic titles who want to be treated as though they are superior to others - politicians, former politicians, celebrities, actors etc - all types can have a "don't you know who I am attitude."

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 17/08/2021 20:46

Philip visited my workplace on one occasion, Harry another workplace many years later. I absented myself on both occasions. Also avoided one of their garden parties: thankfully DH was of the same mind as I was and had no desire to go either.

The question of bowing is moot to me. As a lifelong republican I'll never be in the position of meeting a Windsor. I don't stand for or sing the National Anthem either. I'd like a real UK anthem one day where this was a possibility.

People deserve the same level of respect no matter what drawer they come from. As far as UK diplomats on a global stage are concerned, we are a country of 70 million people. The Windsors are seriously the best we can come up with? Somehow, I doubt it.

StoneofDestiny · 17/08/2021 20:48

There wasnt exactly loads of praise when Princess Margaret died. One or two of her friends spoke. But most people knew she was a spoilt selfish obnoxious diva of the first order

Likewise the Queen Mother - a notorious spendthrift and racist. Easy when your spending taxpayers money and didn't pay tax herself!

Mommabear20 · 17/08/2021 20:52

Absolutely! I don't know why I feel this way, just the way I was raised I guess 🤷‍♀️

Els1e · 17/08/2021 21:01

I’d curtesy for the queen. She’s about 9 inches smaller than me. I think it’s polite to try and make eye contact in greeting. 😁

lovablequalities · 17/08/2021 21:22

Dh and fil met Prince Charles at an opening of a place they had worked on. Neither of them bowed. They put on clean t shirts though. That counts as a tugged forelock in fil's mind.

AnneElliott · 17/08/2021 21:59

I curtsied when I met Princess Anne. I was representing my Department though as it was a work event. Most people did although you were told in advance that you didn't have to.

Yes I would curtesy if I met the Queen. Not sure about the others if I met them as 'me' rather than as a result of my job.

thebeatingofthedrums · 17/08/2021 22:02

@Xiaoxiong

Sure! But not just for royalty, I think we should bring it back for everyone. Better for social distancing and a bit of thigh exercise. I'd quite like to bow and curtsey to friends and have them do the same to me rather than awkwardly having to shake hands or worse, avoid shaking hands.

Gosh, yes. I'd rather curtsey to people (and have them curtsey/bow back) rather than contemplate one of those God-awful elbow bumps.

I like your way of thinking, @Xiaoxiong. I like it a lot.

AnneElliott · 17/08/2021 22:04

I'd be happy with bowing or curtsying between normal people. I love seeing it in the period dramas that the women all curtesy to each other!

thebeatingofthedrums · 17/08/2021 22:09

@AnneElliott

I'd be happy with bowing or curtsying between normal people. I love seeing it in the period dramas that the women all curtesy to each other!

Never mind sexy, let's bring curtsy back.

cabingirl · 17/08/2021 22:28

Another vote to bring back the bow/curtsey for ALL

to ask should people still be bowing/curtseying to royalty

FirstNameSurname · 17/08/2021 22:31

I would plan not to but last minute nerves would probably see me in a princess Anne style curtsey.

The whole curtsey to each other based on rank has always confused me. Yes all bow/curtsey to the queen, they have all signed up to this lifestyle/hierarchy that shes the boss, but the fact Kate and Megan's position in this hierarchy changes dependent on their husbands being around sits uncomfortably with me. What happens at parties. Anne potters over to Kate and gets annoyed when she isn’t greeted with expected curtsey only to realise Wills was just off getting more bubbly and she should have been the one curtseying to Kate after all. Kates place is only higher if she drags her husband along but alone she drops right down the curtsey order.

cabingirl · 17/08/2021 22:40

@FirstNameSurname

I would plan not to but last minute nerves would probably see me in a princess Anne style curtsey.

The whole curtsey to each other based on rank has always confused me. Yes all bow/curtsey to the queen, they have all signed up to this lifestyle/hierarchy that shes the boss, but the fact Kate and Megan's position in this hierarchy changes dependent on their husbands being around sits uncomfortably with me. What happens at parties. Anne potters over to Kate and gets annoyed when she isn’t greeted with expected curtsey only to realise Wills was just off getting more bubbly and she should have been the one curtseying to Kate after all. Kates place is only higher if she drags her husband along but alone she drops right down the curtsey order.

I think they have 'family' rules and 'outside' rules.

I think the Queen gets a curtsey in both situations - when she's greeting her family one-on-one though she gives them a kiss first before they do their bow/curtsey which I think is sweet - granny before monarch greeting.

It looks like they've binned most of the rest of the order of precedence bowing and just use it for who goes first in a row of people now.

It will be interesting to see (if we haven't got rid of them by then) to see what happens with Charles and William.

JemimaTab · 17/08/2021 22:40

I thought it was particularly odd when Prince George had his first day at school (a few years ago) and the headmistress curtsied to him. Really, he should have been treated like any other little boy or girl starting school. It’s no wonder they grow up expecting everyone to grovel and kowtow to them.

cabingirl · 17/08/2021 22:42

@JemimaTab

I thought it was particularly odd when Prince George had his first day at school (a few years ago) and the headmistress curtsied to him. Really, he should have been treated like any other little boy or girl starting school. It’s no wonder they grow up expecting everyone to grovel and kowtow to them.

I don't think that was a curtsey I think she was getting down to his level to speak to him but was trying to be elegant for the photo shoot so it looked like a curtsey. She was also wearing a very fancy dress which clearly wasn't her usual work clothes!

Gilead · 17/08/2021 22:44

I’m a citizen, not a subject. I curtsy to no one.

Unicornflakegirl · 17/08/2021 22:51

@AnneElliott

I curtsied when I met Princess Anne. I was representing my Department though as it was a work event. Most people did although you were told in advance that you didn't have to.

Yes I would curtesy if I met the Queen. Not sure about the others if I met them as 'me' rather than as a result of my job.

We had Charles and Camilla at a work event and there was an all staff briefing with a demo of how to curtsy and now correctly. I did neither. Women were also told to wear skirts or dresses, not trousers. It was a particularly royal-loving organisation.

Myrrhis · 17/08/2021 22:53

The only way to bring back curtseying and bowing for all is to start it now.

Be the change you want to see and all that.

MindyStClaire · 17/08/2021 22:55

I'd happily get rid of the lot of them, the whole concept of hereditary monarchy is ridiculous, but I can't get worked up about curtsying since it's optional.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 18/08/2021 10:16

I was at a reception where we were sort of presented the Queen Mother in the early 90's and I refused to do anything but smile warmly when she came along the line.

I don't believe these people deserve anymore or less respect than anyone else I meet in life.

countrytown · 18/08/2021 10:29

They have good PR though who work these stories in about how "down to earth " they are etc.

I find it ridiculous that people actually believe it. They live an incredibly privileged life that's completely out of touch but photograph them on an Easyjet & they are just like us! 😆

SenecaFallsRedux · 18/08/2021 13:54

It's a myth and an odd one that members of the RF curtsy and bow to each other based on precedence. They curtsy or bow to the queen, but people of the same rank (as in HRH) don't bow or curtsy to each other in private or in public. The rules of precedence are about who enters a room first, etc, not about curtsying or bowing to each other.

www.womansworld.com/posts/entertainment/prince-george-princess-charlotte-curtsy-queen-elizabeth-163799

twitter.com/RoyalReporter/status/217348267766317061

gobackanddoitproperly · 18/08/2021 14:21

I’d have every intention of not curtsying to the queen, but I’d cave. Then silently berate myself.

CustomerRelations · 18/08/2021 14:24

If you don't have to grovel like a lowly wretch, what's the point of having a royal family at all?

Blossomtoes · 18/08/2021 14:28

@GintyMcGinty

It is a choice.

You are told when you are meeting them that you can curtsey or bow if you want to but you don't have to.

This. For the royal visit I organised most people wanted to. On the day everyone did, it was hard not to once the precedent had been set.