There are strict protocols around interacting with members of the royal family. While the royals are public figures who regularly meet with people, there are rules about touching or coming into physical contact with them. Understanding these protocols can help avoid causing offense or misunderstandings when encountering royalty.
Who are considered royals?
The main royals who people may encounter and need to follow protocols with are:
– Queen Elizabeth II
– Prince Charles
– Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
– Prince William
– Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
– Prince George
– Princess Charlotte
– Prince Louis
– Prince Harry
– Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Other more distant members of the royal family also require certain protocols to be followed, but these are the main figures in the public eye.
Is it acceptable to touch royals?
The general rule is that it is not acceptable to touch royal family members. There are some exceptions for handshakes at formal introductions, but in general any touching is discouraged. Even for handshakes, the royal should initiate.
Some key points on touching royals:
– Do not put an arm around royals or touch their back or shoulder
– Avoid hugging royals
– Do not hold their hands or link arms with them
– Do not pat them on the back or touch their hair
– Respect their personal space and keep an appropriate distance
Touching royals comes down to respecting their status and not invading their personal space. There is a comfort level they maintain with the public.
When is it acceptable to shake hands with royals?
The most common acceptable physical interaction with royals is shaking hands at formal introductions and engagements. However, there is protocol around how this should be done:
– Wait for the royal to extend their hand first rather than initiating
– Shake hands briefly; do not prolong the handshake
– Maintain a gentle grip, do not squeeze tightly
– Do not raise your other hand to touch their elbow or arm
– Only shake hands once; do not go back for a second handshake
If attending an event where you will be introduced and shake hands, be mindful of these guidelines. Wait for the royal’s cue before shaking.
Is it ok to touch royal children?
Special care should be taken around royal children, who require more personal space. The same rules apply:
– Do not hug, kiss, or tickle royal children
– Do not pat them on the head or touch their hair
– Allow them to initiate any touching, but remain cautious
– If photographing with them, check with palace staff what is appropriate
Royal children should be treated with the same protocol and interactions kept respectful and appropriate. It is best not to touch them without explicit permission.
When is it polite to touch a royal?
There are some specific situations where touching a royal may be polite or required:
– Assisting the elderly. If a royal such as the Queen appears unsteady, offering an arm may assist
– During dances. Traditional dances may involve touching hands or linking arms briefly
– Safety reasons. In dangerous situations guiding a royal to safety would be expected
However, these instances require discretion and awareness. Wait for a royal’s cue in these situations before making physical contact.
What happens if you accidentally touch a royal?
Accidentally touching a royal can and does occur occasionally. Brushing past them or a momentary unintentional touch is usually not treated as a serious breach of etiquette. However, it is polite to:
– Immediately apologize
– Step back and give them space
– Be mindful not to let it happen again
While accidental touches may be forgiven, repeatedly or deliberately touching royals would be considered a serious violation of protocols. Use common sense and respect.
Can you decline shaking a royal’s hand?
It would be highly rude to refuse to shake a royal’s hand or decline any touch they initiate. Except for medical reasons, physical contact initiated by a royal should always be accepted to avoid causing offense. However, you are not expected to proactively offer to shake hands if they do not do so first.
What are the consequences of touching a royal inappropriately?
Intentionally touching royal family members in breach of protocols can have serious repercussions:
– Security intervention. Touching may prompt bodyguards to warn or physically intervene.
– Reputation damage. Being known for disrespecting royals can harm your public image.
– Formal reproach. You may receive official reprimands from palace authorities.
– Prosecution. Harassing royals can potentially lead to criminal charges.
– Ban from events. Repeated offenses may get you banned from royal premises.
While accidental touches are forgotten, purposefully disregarding palace rules can negatively impact you and your standing with the royal family. Act with discretion.
Do people still attempt to touch royals?
Despite the clear rules, some members of the public still attempt to touch or embrace royals at public engagements. Reasons may include:
– Seeking attention. Touching royals draws significant media coverage.
– False sense of friendship. Some people feel like they “know” royals and can touch them.
– Mental health issues. In some cases, mental illness contributes to breaching protocols.
– Political statements. Rarely, touching is done as an intentional protest.
– Cultural differences. Social norms on touching vary which can lead to confusion.
However, no matter the motive, touching royalty without consent cannot be condoned and should be avoided.
How do royals politely avoid unwanted touching?
Royals have learned ways to evade unwanted physical contact from the public with subtle grace and etiquette:
– Moving away. Stepping back or sideways can avoid touches.
– Using bags. Clutching handbags creates a physical barrier.
– Hand gestures. Keeping hands clasped can discourage grasping.
– Distractions. Looking away draws focus from attempts.
– Speed. Quick movements make touching hard.
– Aids. Umbrellas or canes can keep distance.
– Intervention. Guards will verbally halt people if needed.
Through practice royals can elegantly prevent most inappropriate attempts to touch them during walkabouts and events. It comes with being public figures.
Do royal bodyguards stop people from touching?
Yes, an important role of royal protection officers and police is to prevent members of the public from touching royals. Bodyguards use various approaches:
– Strategic positioning. Officers place themselves to block access.
– Verbal warnings. Police will tell people to step back from royals.
– Physical intervention. Guards will gently but firmly stop anyone touching.
– Event barriers. Crowd control gates and fences are used.
– Area patrols. Police keep a watch for potential troublemakers.
– Swift response. Quick reaction if an issue arises.
– Ejecting offenders. People may be forcibly removed for breaches.
Royal guards play a pivotal role in maintaining protocol standards at public engagements and events.
Do people try to touch royals more today?
It is debated whether people today are more likely to breach royal protocol and attempt to touch members of the royal family than in the past. On one hand:
– Modern familiarity. Social media creates illusion royals are “friends”.
– Celebrity culture. Royals now seen as celebrities people can get close with.
– Security improvements. Tighter protection makes touching harder.
– Protocol awareness. Etiquette is widely understood and followed.
However, counter arguments include:
– Less formality today. Modern society has more relaxed protocols generally.
– Social norms changed. People are more used to expressing themselves.
– Republican views. Some do not respect royalty and boundaries.
– Mental health issues. Rates of conditions that may prompt breaches are higher.
Overall, it is difficult to conclude either way. While etiquette endures, motives behind public royal interactions are complex and changing.
How has Palace protocol changed around touching?
Royal protocols evolve gradually over time. Some key changes include:
– Gender norms. Men today do not kiss a lady’s hand as a greeting.
– Formality. Bowing and curtseying is now optional or minimal.
– Deference. Rules on commoners not turning their back are more relaxed.
– Etiquette training. Public briefings on protocol are modern.
– Diversity. Cultural change sees protocol adapted for different communities.
– Media access. Pressure for royal photo opportunities has increased.
However, the fundamental rule of minimal unnecessary physical contact endures. Tradition sits alongside gradual modernization.
Should royals allow more informal touching?
There are opposing views on whether royal protocol against touching should be modernized:
Arguments for relaxing prohibitions include:
– Appearing more accessible. Allowing contact shows royals are “people” too.
– Emotional connections. Appropriate hugs can demonstrate compassion.
– Cultural expectations. Social kissing is standard practice in some societies.
– Positive optics. Judicious informal contact gives positive media images.
Reasons protocols should remain strict include:
– Tradition. Formality reinforces royal prestige and status.
– Professionalism. Distance keeps relationships dignified and appropriate.
– Safety. Unregulated close contact creates security risks.
– Difficult judgments. Hard to make case-by-case decisions on informality.
There are merits to both perspectives. Overall the Palace preference has been for preserving formality, with modest allowances for modern sensibilities.
Conclusion
Touching royal family members is prohibited by Palace protocol in most situations. While handshakes may be permitted at formal events, hugging or other contact is not allowed without initiation or permission from the royal. These rules are due to status, professionalism, safety, and dignity. Guards prevent inappropriate attempts to touch royals. Protocol has gradually relaxed in some ways over time but remains tightly regulated overall. The consequence of breaching touching prohibitions can be severe. While opinions differ on whether to modernize the strictness, the consensus is retaining formal policies on interacting physically with royalty.