To Curtsey or Not for Visiting Royals

“The etiquette is simple. Guests must arrive at the time they are told to arrive. They must not mass around the  King and Queen.  They must not leave until the King and Queen have gone back to the White House. As for the curtsey problems: Britishers who know the  King and Queen  say they won't notice whether American women curtsey or not. It will be considered special courtesy if they curtsey; It will not be considered a discourtesy if they don't.”  — Public domain image of  King George VI

Washington Makes Ready for the Overseas Guests 

By Ruby A. Black (United Press Correspondent) 

WASHINGTON — Precedents are falling almost daily as plans progress for the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England. The President and Mrs. Roosevelt are having them as house guests at the White House — the first time Monarchs have stayed in the White House. Then, the President and the First Lady are going to the railroad station to meet their guests, just as any other Americans meet the train when visitors come to see them. Ordinarily, the President and his lady wait at the White House, to receive visiting Royalty. And finally, the President and Mrs. Roosevelt are going out to dinner at the British embassy, ​​with the visiting Majesties as their hosts. 

If you are among the lucky thousands or so invited by their Majesties to the garden party at the British embassy, it would be a good idea not to go in for precedent breaking. Just leave that prerogative to the President and Mrs Roosevelt and the King and Queen. The etiquette is simple. Guests must arrive at the time they are told to arrive. They must not mass around the King and Queen. They must not leave until the King and Queen have gone back to the White House. As for the curtsey problems: Britishers who know the King and Queen say they won't notice whether American women curtsey or not. It will be considered special courtesy if they curtsey; It will not be considered a discourtesy if they don't. It is rather more than likely that most of the women will practice the little dip so they can act just as if they were accustomed to going to parties at Buckingham palace. 

Don't expect to see any crown jewell or ermine. There won't be any. Such jewels as the Queen wears will be simply personal jewels. There will be lots of chances to tee the rulers of the biggest empire on earth. First, there is the arrival of the royal party at Niagara Falls late on June 7. In Washington there will be repeated opportunities as their Majesties fill engagements in various parts of the city. Then there will follow the visit to New York City and the New York World's Fair, June 10, and a motor trip, along parkways, from New York City to the President's home at Hyde Park, N. Y., late on the afternoon of June 10. –San Bernardino Sun, April, 1939

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