The majority of Audiences are for members of the diplomatic community, though His Majesty also welcomes political, religious and military leaders, and people who have won prestigious cultural prizes.
Throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen met and spoke to thousands of ordinary people up and down the country. She shared a unique relationship with her subjects and worked tirelessly to serve them to the best of her ability.
“I would stand down until I was touched,” she said. “Or hugged.” While there aren't any legal rules in place, it is accepted that people should not touch a royal family member, unless the royal is the one who initiates contact.
After several races, the famously horse-loving Queen invariably walks down to the paddock, greeting racegoers as she proceeds. If you meet her, the official etiquette is to first make a short bow or curtsy, and then to address her first as "Your Majesty," and then "Ma'am" thereafter.
Commoners aren't supposed to touch royals unless royals initiate contact. Celebrities like Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Allison Janney, and Ed Sheeran have slipped up. It's OK, though. Royals are forgiving and usually enjoy the change of pace.
Foreign nationals are not expected to bow or curtsey. The bow is from the neck and the curtsey is just a short 'bob' (not a theatrical ground-sweeping gesture). Naturally, if The Queen offers to shake hands, you should reciprocate with a gentle handshake (no vigorous hand pumps).
For female members of The Royal Family who hold the title Her Royal Highness: "Your Royal Highness" on the first occasion, and then "Ma'am." For male members of The Royal Family who hold the title His Royal Highness: "Your Royal Highness" on the first occasion and "Sir" thereafter.
Everyone Has to Walk Behind the Queen For 1 Simple Reason
It's actually a cardinal rule of royal etiquette, and it all comes down to one very simple explanation: hierarchy. In the royal order of precedence, no one outranks the queen, so no one walks in front of her, period.
"But there is no hard and fast rule, and if you can't do it or don't feel comfortable doing it or don't want to do it that's fine; it doesn't mean you hold the queen in any less respect and you won't be sent to the Tower." Another royal source added, "People do tend to bow or curtsy to the queen, and that's just good ...
There are circumstances in which they are allowed to speak…
warnings if they fail to move away or start to act aggressively,” the Reddit guard says. For instance, they're known to yell “make way for the Queen's Guard!” at tourists who get in their way.
But perhaps the worst rule of all is the fact that absolutely nobody, not even Prince Philip, is allowed to go to bed before the Queen. According to Sir William Heseltine, one of the Queen's former private secretaries, it's considered bad form to go to bed before Her Majesty.
The Queen's word in the United Kingdom is law. She could conceivably walk into any shop in the whole of Britain and loot the place should she wish. Simply put, the Queen is above all authority and must surely be one of the most powerful people on earth for that fact alone.
Many of the fancy clothes Queen Elizabeth wears at public events are designed and made at Buckingham Palace by Mary Angela Kelly and her team. Angela Kelly (born 4 November 1957, Liverpool) was taken on as a dresser in 1993 after working as a housekeeper for a British diplomat.
The Queen must be neutral in all political matters and can't vote, but she does have a ceremonial role in the UK government. She opens each session of Parliament in person, and has visits with the Prime Minister as well as other world leaders.
The senior lady of a queen's household (whether queen regnant or queen consort) is the Mistress of the Robes, who (as well as being in attendance herself on occasion) has traditionally been responsible for arranging all the duties of the queen's ladies in waiting.
For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way. On presentation to The Queen, the correct formal address is 'Your Majesty' and subsequently 'Ma'am,' pronounced with a short 'a,' as in 'jam'.
King Charles and other members of the Royal Family will walk behind the Queen's coffin before and after the funeral service at Westminster Abbey.
You shouldn't touch.
Protocol says anyone meeting Queen Elizabeth for the first time should wait for her to extend her hand first. And even afterwards, contact should be kept to a minimum. That means hugs and kisses are a major no no.
There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms. For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.
Invitation Tip: Never send a wedding invitation to the Queen directly (only to a secretary). You can also consider inviting your state Governor or any congress people.
The Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall
Westminster Hall is open to the public to pay respects to the Queen.
A royal mistress is the historical position and sometimes unofficial title of the extramarital lover of a monarch or an heir apparent, who was expected to provide certain services, such as sexual or romantic intimacy, companionship, and advice in return for security, titles, money, honours, and an influential place at ...
Pay tribute online
There is an online book of condolence on the Royal Family website. A selection of messages will be passed on to members of the Royal Family and may be held in the Royal Archives for posterity.
Unclear if this was an intentional snub, but what we do know is that Prince William–and every member of the British royal family—is expected to bow to Queen Camilla.