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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:
KimberleyClark · 18/09/2022 10:20

Perhaps he has sweaty hands and didn’t want to inflict them on other people.

sausage767 · 18/09/2022 10:20

I don’t blame him. I’d hoped all this unnecessary casual touching of strangers would be done away with after covid, but we’re back to how it was before. Great way to spread diseases.

KimberleyClark · 18/09/2022 10:22

DillDanding · 18/09/2022 09:19

I’ve met him. Can’t remember if we shook hands. But as someone said upthread, he’s very short and that’s what I remember, as well the fact he’s not too good at small talk.

I don’t blame him for being a big stand offish. I’d hate to have to touch all those strangers’ hands.

A shade over 6 foot is not “very short”.

ElusiveWhale · 18/09/2022 10:24

DillDanding · 18/09/2022 09:19

I’ve met him. Can’t remember if we shook hands. But as someone said upthread, he’s very short and that’s what I remember, as well the fact he’s not too good at small talk.

I don’t blame him for being a big stand offish. I’d hate to have to touch all those strangers’ hands.

He must have a short stand in Grin

I've danced next to him, I'm tall and he was taller than me. If you still think he's short, look:

To think the Prince Edward did not want to touch people’s hands?
Jennylongleg · 18/09/2022 10:28

I wondered why as well after watching him yesterday. A quick google found an interview from 2019, where he said he does not shake hands on walk abouts, because he feels if he shakes one hand he needs to shake all hands.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 18/09/2022 10:29

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.

@Shortandfurry301

i don't agree with you, he's allowed to 'thank' people how he wants to.

ever since I was about 20, it often hurts when someone grabs my hand (even very small children). It's probably arthritis as my mum has it.

there's no way I could go through the pain of people 'shaking' my hand, even
if they were all gentle (which they wouldn't be). When I worked corporate & had lots of meetings/events I'd just load up my hands, plaster a smile on and really look at people/acknowledge people with my eyes & smile. No one seemed to mind or complain.

DillDanding · 18/09/2022 10:31

I am genuinely amazed he’s not about 5’8 or 9. The group I was with all said the same ‘he’s shorter than we thought’ 😂

notimagain · 18/09/2022 10:31

Another one here who has met him..(can't remember whether there was a handshake or not).

I'm not exactly a short arse but he was taller then me so 6 foot sounds about right.

RMS0209 · 18/09/2022 13:37

I spotted it, I'd be the exact same if I was him!

Mamamia7962 · 18/09/2022 13:44

He made a joke that if he had to shake hands with everyone, by the end of the walk about his hand 'would fall off'. I would imagine it's quite tiring having to shaking hands with lots of people.

diddl · 18/09/2022 14:10

I've danced next to him, I'm tall and he was taller than me. If you still think he's short, look:

Oh that pic of PA wtf expression is that?Envy]

VladmirsPoutine · 18/09/2022 14:34

This is possibly the only thing I can't criticise the royals for. I absolutely cannot stand physical contact and shaking hands is very awkward for me. I just hate it and I only occasionally do so at work - I can't imagine what it would be like to shake hundreds of hands. I don't think there's enough soap in the world thereafter with which to wash my hands. If he doesn't want to so be it.

Original poster
Housebytheseanc · 18/09/2022 16:38

I’m glad a few others spotted it, I just wondered if there was a particular reason - not that I was going to judge hiM for it just was really curious, having seen all the other royals do it just wondered.

To be honest I do find it strange watching people in the crowds just holding their hand out for a hand shake - I would feel awkward if did that and they didn’t shake my hand.

I find the whole thing all a bit strange, standing and waiting to have your hand touched by the Royals.

OP posts:
Murdoch1949 · 18/09/2022 19:44

He came up with a spurious reason, it would prevent him speaking to so many people, but he's obviously germphobic.

VladmirsPoutine · 18/09/2022 19:51

I find the whole thing all a bit strange, standing and waiting to have your hand touched by the Royals.

Didn't some people also ask to kiss their hands? I was aghast!!!

Original poster
Housebytheseanc · 19/09/2022 05:43

@VladmirsPoutine it wouldn’t surprise me if they did.

Last week a lady in the crowd asked Charles for a kiss! I actually did feel sorry for him at this point, really not necessary.

OP posts:
Chocolatepumpkin · 19/09/2022 14:33

I'm not a touchy person at all and hate it when people just touch you, but he talked and acknowledged people. He wasn't being rude just seemed uncomfortable touching.

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