Royal woman who doesn't have to curtsy to the other royals despite long-standing tradition
Queen Elizabeth decided upon this in 2005
The royals are synonymous with their formalities and rules, including when to bow or curtsy. But apparently, one royal woman is exempt from curtsying as the others do, despite everyone else still being expected to.
This single female member of the royal family was exempt from the tradition in 2005, before the rule was changed by Queen Elizabeth.
This is why…
Royal woman who doesn’t have to follow curtsying rule explained
Following King Charles III’s coronation in May of 2023, some new protocols were put in place.
As the king and queen’s titles were officially recognised, Camilla is no longer required to curtsy to anyone.
The document that outlines the rule was drafted in 2005 and is titled the ‘Precedence of the Royal Family to be Observed Court’.
It is this document that outlines the seniority of royal women.
Camilla became a figure to whom members of the royal family would curtsy to when she married the then Prince Charles in 2005.
However, due to the unique circumstances surrounding Charles and Camilla’s marriage, the tradition was altered.
Queen Elizabeth’s rule
Queen Elizabeth outlined that Camilla was below royal women born into royalty like Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Those who weren’t born into royalty, like Duchess Sophie, would retain their original positions and would curtsy to Camilla.
A further update in 2012 accommodated Kate’s position in the family, requiring Kate to curtsy to Anne, Beatrice and Eugenie unless she was accompanied by Prince William.
Curtsying to Princess Anne is mandatory
However, Kate was still required to curtsy to Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, even if she was accompanied by William.
The same guidelines were enforced for Meghan Markle, upon her entry into The Firm after marrying Prince Harry in 2018.
The Duchess of Sussex was therefore required to curtsy when alone. However, if she was accompanied by Prince Harry, she was exempt from curtsying to Beatrice and Eugenie.
The same requirements applied with Anne, however, meaning curtsying to the Princess Royal was mandatory.
Do the royals curtsy behind closed doors?
Protocol dictates that these rules are upheld both in and out of the public eye.
A source from The Telegraph confirmed: “What they do when there are no outsiders present I can’t tell, but I suspect they do [curtsy]. They all did with the Queen.”
Upon Charles’s accession to the throne in September 2022, Camilla surpassed Anne in the hierarchy, meaning every royal woman is compelled to curtsy to her.
The debate surrounding the protocol
This means she has become the senior-most Royal figure. Therefore, Camilla isn’t required to curtsy to any female royal.
The intricacies of these protocols have long been debated.
Joe Little, a royal expert from Majesty Magazine, clarified the matter on X, formerly Twitter.
He stated: “Royal Highnesses bow and curtsey only to Majesties. Why is that so hard to understand? Nothing to do with the order of precedence.”
Read more: Princess Charlotte could face ‘major setback’ inheriting Diana’s wedding tiara
So, what do you think of this royal rule? Let us know on our Facebook page.
