Royal Protocol Breach: Actress Forgets to Curtsy to Duchess of Cambridge

The tradition of curtsying has evolved over the centuries, with many rules dictating who should curtsy to whom.

While a curtsy is a gesture of respect, it is traditionally directed towards the crown as a whole rather than individual royals.

Foreign dignitaries and British commoners are not obligated to curtsy, although some may choose to do so.

The intricacies of curtsying within the royal family can be quite complex, depending on the setting and the individuals present.

In a surprising revelation, dynasty icon Joanne Collins shared an anecdote about a nervous encounter with the Princess of Wales where she forgot to follow royal protocol during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

This relatable mishap is detailed in Collins' new memoir, “Tales I Tell My Friends,” which was published on Tuesday.

Following a motorcade down London's mall, Collins described receiving a warm welcome from members of the royal family.

Upon arriving outside the royal box, which was filled with royals and Queen's relatives, Collins and her companions descended from their Jaguar, attempting to appear presentable after enduring two hours in the cold wind.

Princess Beatrice and her husband Eduardo enthusiastically waved at them.

Subsequently, a chain of gestures ensued as Princess Anne nudged Prince Charles and Camilla, prompting them all to wave and smile in approval, mouthing words of praise.

Led to the green retiring room behind the box, Collins recounted collapsing onto a sofa and being offered a cup of tea.

It was then that she was surprised by the unexpected appearance of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by her young children.

Despite the royal children's impeccable manners, Collins admitted to forgetting to curtsy, recalling the moment with a gulp.

While Collins missed the curtsy during her recent encounter with the princess, she had previously met her at Buckingham Palace and the Royal Variety Performance.

At the latter event, they shook hands, demonstrating the absence of strict rules regarding royal greetings.

A social media post by royal expert Richard Eden highlighted actor Daniel Craig's failure to stand up when greeting the princess, leading to some discomfort.

The incident involving Daniel Craig and other celebrities interacting with the royals underscores the informal nature of royal greetings in modern times.

While some, like James Norton, choose to stand out of respect, others opt for a more casual approach.

The importance of basic courtesy, even towards royalty, is emphasized in such encounters.

Notably, the rules of etiquette have also shifted in other contexts, such as Wimbledon, where players are no longer required to bow to members of the British royal family seated courtside.

This change in protocol was introduced in the early 2000s, as evidenced by the recent matches involving Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, who were not obligated to perform a bow of courtesy.