Royal Court Etiquette of Hawaii

Though it is customary that a royal is greeted with a bow, curtsy, or handshake, etiquette decrees that an American citizen is not required to bow or curtsy to any foreign leader or head of state. – Public domain image of His Majesty King Kamehameha of Hawaii. He was known as “King Aleck” by the American and English residents, on terms of absolute equality.

Honolulu Royal Court Etiquette

Captain Stephen Taylor, of Boston, spent a good deal of time at Honolulu, between one voyage and another, and was always. treated as a person to whom a great deal of consideration was due. He visited the Royal family quite often, and was there received by His Majesty King Kamehameha, who was known as “King Aleck” by the American and English residents, on terms of absolute equality.

One day there was a state procession in the streets of Honolulu, and the natives had gathered from all over the kingdom to do honor to royalty. Among the crowd, and leaning nonchalantly against a tree, his big Panama hat on his head, was Captain Stephen Taylor. Presently there was a blare of horns down the street, and the head of the Royal procession came to view. Off went the headgear of such of the natives as had any headgear, but Captain Taylor remained covered.

“Why don't you take off your hat, Captain?” asked a native who spoke English. The Captain vouchsafed no reply. But presently, as the royal party drew near, an Englishman said to him: “Hadn't you better uncover, Captain?” “No!” said he. “I never took off my hat to an any King yet, and never will.” It was rude speech but not meant insultingly, quite evidently; for the next moment the royal party came quite abreast, and Captain Stephen, still with his Panama set nonchalantly on the back of his head, called out cheerily to the King: “Hello, Aleck!”

The King looked an instant at the Captain, and then called out in quite as cheery a tone: “Hello, Steve!” And the cortege moved on amid the applause of the crowd, convincing one Englishman that a Boston sea captain was at least as great a man as a King of Hawaii. – Boston Transcript, 1897

 🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

British Royal Curtsey Etiquette

        

Queen Elizabeth II meeting with Norwegian royalty. Note the curtsey… – “There are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.” – People Magazine
–Image source, Pinterest

According to the royal family's website, which has yet to be updated in full following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, “There are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.”

“For men, this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way,” the page states.

As a gesture of respect, Princess Kate has dipped into deep curtsies to greet King Charles and Queen Camilla during formal events like the Order of the Garter ceremony day and their May coronation at Westminster Abbey. 

Her curtsies to the royal couple at the second annual Royal Carols: Together at Christmas last December even went viral online, though fans may have been surprised to see that Prince George and Princess Charlotte didn’t bow or curtsy as well.

The protocol around that goes back to their young age. Because George and Charlotte are children, they are not required to do so while greeting the King or Queen. – People Magazine, October, 2023

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Madagascar's Queen

Throughout her reign, Queen Ranavalona III utilized diverse tactics such as strengthening trade and diplomatic relations with the United States and Great Britain in the hope of staving off impending colonization.

(source: afrikanwomen)

The Palace of the Queen is 2,500 feet above the level of the sea, the capital being located on an elevated plateau. By the time Mr. Finklemeir reached the city he was out of food; the Queen, however, sent him a fat ox for food, and the Chief Minister sent turkeys, geese, chickens, lamb, onions, rice, potatoes and other things in abundance; so they fared well.

Next day, the Queen sent to ask how he endured the fatigues of the journey, and notified him that she would see him on the next Sunday, the 8th of December. On Sunday she sent an escort of Palace officers to conduct him to the throne, where she sat in state with her Ministers around her, and large numbers of ladies and gentlemen, all in European costumes, the Queen wearing white brocade with a Hammelyn cloak hanging from the shoulder. 

She arose and extended her hand for him to kiss as Mr. Finklemeir entered, and he kissed her white kid gloves according to Court etiquette. The Queen is about fifty years of age, quite tall and well educated, and quite graceful. Mr. Finklemeir was astonished to see her skin was what we in America would call "white," and looking young for her age. Mr. Finklemier was next introduced to all the ministers and guests. 

A great deal of gold and embroidery was displayed in the Court dresses of those preterit, and the display was really quite brilliant. After fifteen minutes he witndrew. The officers afterward told Mr. Finklemeir that the Queen was very well pleased with his appearance. The Queen asked him during the interview if he had served in the late war in America, and if he had a family. 

The next day he dined with the Chief Minister, per invitation. The dinner took from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 at night, and was given in a splendid hall, with a fine band of music playing before the forty guests. The dinner and wine could not be excelled even in Europe. The finest of china and silver sets adorned the table. 

Mr. Finklemeir toasted the Queen in the American language, and the Chief Minister toasted the President and Secretary Seward. Mr. Finklemeir remained in the Capital until the 8th of January, when he bade his adieu, and returned as he came. —1867

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia