King James Introduces Kate and William to his Court

LeBronWhat is it about the Royal Union and their heirs? At the risk of offending my colleagues and friends, I can’t help but roll my eyes at the British medias’ insinuation about those blundering Big Kids, the so called Americans. Apparently « we » made another faux pas when LeBron James innocently put his arm around The Duchess of Cambridge for the photo shoot after the December 8th game between the New York Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Now what could be more natural when cheesing it for the camera than to offer an arm slung over a shoulder and a big smile especially at a good ol’ American ball game?

The British tabloids were even more offended when Our First Lady breached protocol and hugged the Queen in 2009. But hugs are as much a part of our culture as tea is a part of theirs. When in the USA, especially the Midwest, it is considered good manners, part of our warm hospitality, to welcome visitors with a hug or extra long hand shake.

However, LeBron inadvertently broke rules of royal etiquette. Who speaks first, what to say, how to stand and when to sit have been divinely ordained but aren’t they a little outmoded for the 21st century?

Apparently not. An insider, who worked for the British royal family or Her Majesty’s Household, offers these tips when encountering royalty.

  1. Do not speak unless spoken to or ask inappropriate questions.
  2. Never touch a royal. A handshake is the only exception and only when royalty initiate it. For heaven’s sake don’t dare keep holding on.
  3. Address the Queen, as “Your Majesty,” then “Ma’am” and the Duke and Duchess, as “Your Royal Highness,” then “Ma’am” or “Sir.”
  4. Stand when royalty enters a room. Men should bow and women should curtsy on introduction. Are you kidding me ? Curtsy ? In this day and age ?
  5. When the most senior royal in attendance finishes the meal, so do all the guests. Huh. What if you are still hungry ?

“From medieval times, monarchs were divinely appointed to rule by God, so they demanded to be treated as gods,” Dr Kate Williams, a historian at London’s Royal Holloway University explained.”They are treated as people set apart from the rest of us, creating distance and grandeur.”

Ironically, Americans really do like Kate and William, but oh, if only they could buck those pompous traditions.

Get over it already. Remember the bloody Revolution of 1812? We are the ones who dumped your tea in the harbor and refused to bow down to the British crown in sovereignty. The French beheaded their King and Queen.

I am not suggesting anything so radical, but I’d like to offer insight on how to behave in the ‘hood. If you hang out in our playground –what’s more American than a basketball game in Brooklyn– learn to play by our rules. A bit of down-to-earth, genuine appreciation for the common folk can go a long way in smoothing public relations.Prince William and_Kate_Middleton_Wedding_Pictures 2

People on the other side of the Atlantic wonder if it is time that royalty stopped putting on airs and stepped out of that glass castle. To make a difference, you have to relate to the downtrodden. To commiserate with the working class, it’s time to take off the white gloves, get down on the ground and roll in the dirt. Take a tip from our King James; human touch speaks louder than words. Put protocol aside, learn from the kids across the Pond, be real and hug.

Posted in education, humor, relationships, social view, travel.

24 Comments

    • Is Cleveland happyily ever after LeBronland again? Are you kidding, tell Amy nothing. I would love to see her curtsey, so have her keep practicing.

    • Is Cleveland happyily ever after LeBronland again? Are you kidding, tell Amy nothing. I would love to see her curtsey, so have her keep practicing.

  1. Royal etiquette, I don’t think it will ever be lost. It reaffirms the power boundaries and disciplines us serfs unconsciously to accept upper class power and rule. Personally, I’d love a hug from any big Basketballer, AND, I am sure Kate did too 😉 However, Kate is of working class origin, a classic nouveau riche belle, so some ‘natural’ behaviour seeps out now and then! Did you see the eye rolling episode that she did when told to carry on wrapping presents by an allegedly bossy New Yorker? Poor Kate, just like her predecessor Princess Di, every move, word and breath will be analysed until her dying day, and those around her (LeBron) will also feel those surveillance ripples… Hugs to you from a British middle class lady who proudly acknowledges her working class roots – no royalty in my bloodline, so I can be as protocol-less as I like! 🙂 xx

    • I was hoping you would comment Rachael to give us the “native” perspective. I know that working class bloodline has served you well…I could tell by your strong work ethic! And no wonder you never feared a good ol’ hug. Sending one your way right now. Thanks for making me chuckle.

  2. Seriously. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Do they really expect us to put on airs and follow their protocol when they are on our turf? I’m sure the Duchess loved having LeBron’s enormous arm around her. Great piece, Pat. I loved the levity.

  3. I understand respect for the royalty and all, but come on…! It’s a little silly, if you ask me. I like to think Kate and William agree to a large degree, as they seem pretty down-to-earth and normal.

  4. Totally with you on this. Except that my husband, he of the dirty mind, speculated that King James might have given Kate’s tush a fond pat whilst mugging so innocently. And I said, “She should be so lucky!”

  5. Totally with you on this. Except that my husband, he of the dirty mind, speculated that King James might have given Kate’s tush a fond pat whilst mugging so innocently. And I said, “She should be so lucky!”

  6. I’m not royalty so part of me understands and appreciates your post here, Pat. The other part — the “stuffy” side that kind of misses long-ago days when there were “rules” and decorum and protocol — that part rails against it! I imagine Life was so much easier when everyone “knew his place.” Perhaps things have swung a bit too far into the casual realm. That said, there’s much to be said for “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”!!

  7. Haha! I like your take on this, Pat. Maybe the stuffy rules need to be updated, and this incident may have sparked a new, more informal era with the royals — which I think Kate and William are fully behind.

  8. Haha! I like your take on this, Pat. Maybe the stuffy rules need to be updated, and this incident may have sparked a new, more informal era with the royals — which I think Kate and William are fully behind.

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