To think the Prince Edward did not want to touch people’s hands?

[Housebytheseanc]

Yesterday during the walk about I couldn’t help but notice he didn’t seem to want to touch/shake anyone’s hand - people kept putting their hands out but he appeared to just speak to them/avoid it.
I saw him on a few occasions shake a hand but it was obvious to me he didn’t seem to want to.

was there a reason I’m not aware of? Sophie was quite happy to and reached out to everyone…

Just curious as to whether anyone else spotted this?

It's entirely possible. Lots of people don't like physical contact with lots of strangers. It doesn't seem a big deal to me, he was polite and friendly anyway. Nobody should be forced into physical contact they don't want.

I think he told someone he could go faster and talk to more people if he didn't stop to shake, which is a nice tactful way of avoiding it if that's what he wanted.

Didn't notice but if thats the case it's no big deal. He may not want too, he may be a bit poorly, or a bit sweaty.

i noticed that
perhaps he was covid concerned

Can't wait until Tuesday and we stop over thinking everything.

Have you asked him?

was there a reason I’m not aware of?

Do Royals or public figures need to broadcast their reasons for their conduct before people like you can accept them and rest easy?

there was a time when people would have raised an eyebrow with all the touchy feely contact the Royals do now. (I think we’re better for their human approach but just saying).

YABU… like a PP said, looking forward to a time after Tuesday when not every minutiae is analysed.

I don't blame him: I'm not keen on shaking hands with acquaintances, never mind randoms. God knows where their hands have been!

They did report this on Sky news and said that the Queen didn't shake hands but Charles seems happy to

Maybe he’s immune suppressed. Maybe he feels a cold coming on. Maybe he’s a huge lizard.

Maybe he has arthritis. I do and shaking hands is really painful even gently.

I think i read yesterday that he doesn’t because he feels it holds things up. Don’t ask me where though I have read all sorts in the past week.

Poor chap. Imagine being (for example) neurodiverse and landing in a family where your every move is scrutinised.

I'm not saying he is, but as pps have said he could have all sorts of reasons for preferring to avoid it. OCD, anxiety meds, immune issues...

What a weight of expectation.

He wasn't rude, perfectly polite man who is grieving his mother. Absolutely no reason whatsoever he should shake hands with people he doesn't want to and definitely doesn't need to explain or justify his decision.

I have seen this somewhere as well. He says it makes it longer and he can't see so many people.

nobody seemed to be shoving their hand at him

Can't blame him, especially in recent times where Covid etc has highlighted just how unhygienic a practice it is. I would absolutely hate to have to touch a load of complete strangers to be honest, and I'm not germ phobic.

I do feel a bit sorry for the royals (within reason), every single thing they do is scrutinised.

I dont blame him. I wouldn’t want to touch people neither.

people aren’t very clean. So many hands, touching everything.🤢

I doubt he's suddenly become a Muslim, if that's what bothers you..?

(Not that it should, given he's not in the direct line of succession. If Charles did, that might cause a few issues, I suppose)

Don't worry, the usual suspects will come on soon with their "I've heard that..." "I was told by someone who knows that..." bollocks to explain it all to us.

I was introduced to him and shook his hand years ago. He wasn't in the slightest reluctant. But I do remember that he had the softest hands and the shiniest shoes I've ever felt or seen. He's also very short.

Seems absolutely reasonable to me. I'm surprised any of them do what with the threat of being poisoned that way.

@Chouetted excuse me! Please don’t imply that’s what I’m thinking! How dare you.

I asked a question out of curiosity that’s what I said in my original OP - calm down and stop posting such ridiculous things.

I wouldn’t be keen on shaking everyone’s hand either. It’s a great way of spreading pathogens!

Didn’t the queen used to wear gloves?

I thought I read years ago that no one was allowed to touch the queen, and that she only shook peoples hand when wearing gloves ( Obviously not the case for Liz Truss ) So I was amazed when on his first day as King, Charles was shaking hands but also people were kissing and hugging him 😳

Thanks for the replies, as I said in my first post I was just curious more than anything else.

I didn’t imply he wasn’t being friendly or being rude, just wondered if he had said why, it’s just because I was watching and some people were definitely holding their hands out and looked a little awkward when he didn’t go to shake it. Wondered if there was a particular reason.

@miserablecat the hugging and kissing were too much! Especially the lady who kissed him!