5 Things To Avoid When Facing Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning living monarch in the world, is one of the most recognizable figures in royalty. Being a very busy royal, it’s highly unlikely for the regular Joe or Jane to even meet her in their lifetime. But just in case one is lucky enough to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, here are a few things to avoid when in the presence of Her Majesty.

1. Talking About Anything

Even among the closest of friends, there is always that unspoken rule where a few awkward topics must never be discussed with each other. For those lucky enough to enter into a conversation with Queen Elizabeth II, a similar rule also applies, albeit stricter.

As the Head of the Commonwealth, she represents the country and, unlike normal folks, just can comment about anything arbitrarily. For this reason, it is improper to ask a question or offer a topic where the Queen will have to give an opinion, most especially if it’s about politics. It is best to stick to neutral and safer topics — the weather, for instance.

In fact, leading the conversation is also frowned upon as the Queen or any other member of the royal family should have full control of the conversation, including the topic of choice. To be on the safe side, it is probably best to only speak when Her Majesty initiates the conversation.

2. Taking A Selfie

Since the invention of smartphones with high definition, it has become the norm to document any event by taking the obligatory selfie. But for those who think that meeting royalty is exciting enough to be documented on social media, the answer is — it’s a no-no.

However, in events where the Queen or any royal family member is present, it usually means that a professional photographer will cover the occasion. In this case, one just might be lucky enough for a photo op with the royals.

3. Initiating A Handshake

When greeting the Queen, the proper thing to do is to curtsy if one is a woman or to bow if one is a man. A handshake, the internationally recognized gesture of greeting especially within the business community, is only appropriate if it is initiated by the Queen. Apparently, another exception is when one is a U.S. citizen, like when Angelina Jolie greeted Her Majesty with a handshake.

4. Continuing To Eat Even When The Queen Is Finished

This rule is a bit depressing for foodies. But when dining with the Queen, which is a privilege in itself, one must take cues from Her Majesty. For instance, the Queen is supposed to take the first bite, initiating the meal. Once she is done, everyone should stop as well.

5. Calling Her Queen Elizabeth II

When one is in her presence and has to address her, calling her Queen Elizabeth is not the right way to do it. Instead, the proper phrase to use is “Your Majesty.” One can then switch to addressing her as “Ma'am” afterward.