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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

117 replies

Housebytheseanc · 18/09/2022 06:52

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Housebytheseanc · 18/09/2022 08:15

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2022 07:44

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.

Thank you. That’s what I was wondering if it was something to do with holding things up and so that he can speak to more people. Makes sense.

OP posts:
Original poster
Housebytheseanc · 18/09/2022 08:16

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 18/09/2022 07:31

Have you asked him?

If I was in a position to ask I probably wouldn’t have posted on here 😂

OP posts:
lavenderlou · 18/09/2022 08:20

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2022 07:44

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.

I read this too (think it was in the Fail, shhh).

ElusiveWhale · 18/09/2022 08:22

pollyglot · 18/09/2022 08:02

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.

He isn't short, not sure why you think that. I'd say he's around 6'.

Snugglemonkey · 18/09/2022 08:23

ShinyMe · 18/09/2022 07:12

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.

I thought it sounded ridiculous. The king can do it, all the other royals do it, it doesn't slow them down. I don't think you should meet and greet if you are not going to shake hands.

Chouetted · 18/09/2022 08:24

Housebytheseanc · 18/09/2022 08:07

@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.

Show quote history

Apologies for offending you, but I think you may have missed out on seeing some of the weirder conspiracy theories we've had in AIBU recently.

If you had been thinking that, it would have been positively tame in comparison!

HaveANiceFuckingDay · 18/09/2022 08:26

My son currently has covid
I still social distance from most people where possible .
I wouldnt want to touch people I know never mind strangers , people carry all sorts
Perhaps hes mindful of germs and covid

MissPoldark · 18/09/2022 08:27

I don't think you should meet and greet if you are not going to shake hands

You can meet and greet strangers perfectly well without having to physically touch them.

Novum · 18/09/2022 08:27

pollyglot · 18/09/2022 08:02

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.

If the person you were introduced to was very short, it wasn't Prince Edward.

jetadore · 18/09/2022 08:27

NuNameNuMe · 18/09/2022 07:29

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

Did you mean “can’t wait for Tuesday and hundreds of threads asking ‘why did/didn’t x do y at the funeral’, ‘z was disrespectful at the funeral’, etc, etc.?”

abovedecknotbelow · 18/09/2022 08:28

Don't blame him at all, I wouldn't want to either.

Original poster
Housebytheseanc · 18/09/2022 08:30

NuNameNuMe · 18/09/2022 07:29

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

@NuNameNuMe but you obviously enjoy reading these threads as you’re on here…? 😎
It’s really simple to just ignore the ones you’re not interested in/don’t want to see…

OP posts:
LilyRosie23 · 18/09/2022 08:33

I always thought he was known for not shaking hands. Princess Anne doesn't either.

BellePeppa · 18/09/2022 08:34

I noticed that too and said to my son it must be awful shaking all those strangers hands, you never know how hygienic they’ve been. Maybe he’s had an unpleasant experience (snotty hand?😬) or he’s a bit germ phobic.

WhenDovesFly · 18/09/2022 08:35

I was thinking he's probably concerned about germs or COVID. Some people are not good at washing their hands and anyone in the queue for hours may have been coughing or sneezing in their hands, have sticky residue from food or anything. I don't blame him really. Arthritis is another suggestion. I'm the same age as Edward and I think I have the beginnings of it.

Doingprettywellthanks · 18/09/2022 08:35

I certainly wouldn’t.

Shudder at thought actually

Anon778833 · 18/09/2022 08:35

For one thing, maybe he doesn’t want to catch Covid.

nachoavocado · 18/09/2022 08:37

Snugglemonkey · 18/09/2022 08:23

I thought it sounded ridiculous. The king can do it, all the other royals do it, it doesn't slow them down. I don't think you should meet and greet if you are not going to shake hands.

Show quote history

What that's ridiculous. It's not like a YouTube meet and greet with selfies etc. He is just saying hi. No need to go round touching everyone. There's still covid and also poison to worry about.

nachoavocado · 18/09/2022 08:37

Anon778833 · 18/09/2022 08:35

For one thing, maybe he doesn’t want to catch Covid.

Or norovirus

Doingprettywellthanks · 18/09/2022 08:38

Some of the threads on personal hygiene on mumsnet has left me reeling - and this is from mumsnetters, likely parents!

MissPoldark · 18/09/2022 08:38

Or Monkeypox!

nachoavocado · 18/09/2022 08:39

MissPoldark · 18/09/2022 08:38

Or Monkeypox!

I forgot about monkeypox.

Shingles maybe

HarpicHarpy · 18/09/2022 08:40

I can't think of anything worse than having to go out and touch the general public.

Shortandfurry301 · 18/09/2022 08:43

This probably is not a popular view but when crowds of people including elderly people, and people with young children have stood for hours in the rain to pay tribute to your late mother, then I think it is good manners to shake hands.

nachoavocado · 18/09/2022 08:45

Shortandfurry301 · 18/09/2022 08:43

This probably is not a popular view but when crowds of people including elderly people, and people with young children have stood for hours in the rain to pay tribute to your late mother, then I think it is good manners to shake hands.

Why though. A little bow of the head and a thank you is sufficient?

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