Royal Etiquette Expert Reveals the Biggest Mistakes People Make When Meeting King Charles and Princess Kate

Meeting a member of the Royal Family might seem like an occasion governed by strict rules, but an etiquette expert has revealed that many of the traditions people worry about are not actually compulsory. From bowing and curtsying to shaking hands and starting conversations, the Queen of Etiquette has explained what the public should — and should not — do during a royal encounter.

Laura Windsor, founder of the Laura Windsor Etiquette Academy and a Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust Leader, told HELLO! that the most important part of meeting a royal is showing respect.

Contrary to popular belief, members of the public are not required to follow an official set of rules when greeting King Charles, Queen Camilla or other members of the family.

You Don’t Have to Bow or Curtsy to a Royal

According to Windsor, bowing and curtsying are traditions rather than obligations.

“There is no rule for the public. They don’t have to curtsy and they don’t have to bow, but people do it out of respect for their longevity,” she explained.

The Royal Family’s official website confirms the same principle, stating that there are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the King, Queen or another royal.

However, many people still choose to observe traditional greetings as a sign of respect.

For those who wish to follow these customs, Windsor recommends keeping the gestures simple.

How to Bow or Curtsy Correctly

Windsor explained that men who choose to bow need only make a small movement of the head.

“All you have to do for the men is a simple nod. So you just use your neck,” she said.

For women who wish to curtsy, the movement should be equally understated.

Rather than performing a deep or theatrical curtsy, Windsor recommends a brief bend of the knees while keeping the hands at the sides.

“It’s just a quick bob of the knee,” she explained.

She also advises maintaining eye contact with the royal being greeted.

The intention is to acknowledge the person respectfully without making the greeting unnecessarily elaborate.

The Correct Way to Address King Charles and Queen Camilla

For those choosing to use formal royal titles, the appropriate form of address depends on whom they are meeting.

When first greeting King Charles, the traditional address is “Your Majesty.”

During the remainder of the conversation, he may be addressed as “Sir.”

Queen Camilla is also initially addressed as “Your Majesty,” followed by “Ma’am.”

Other members of the Royal Family, including Prince William and Princess Kate, are traditionally addressed as “Your Royal Highness” at the beginning of a conversation.

Subsequent references may use “Sir” or “Ma’am.”

These forms of address are part of established royal etiquette, although the public is not required to use them.

Don’t Offer Your Hand Before a Royal Does

One of Windsor’s strongest recommendations concerns physical contact.

The etiquette expert advises members of the public not to initiate contact with a royal.

“You don’t touch them,” she explained.

That guidance also applies to handshakes.

Instead of immediately extending a hand when introduced, Windsor recommends waiting for the royal to make the first move.

“If they give you their hand, then you shake it. If they don’t, then do not do anything,” she said.

Following the royal’s lead helps avoid an awkward greeting and respects the conventions surrounding official engagements.

Let the Royal Start the Conversation

Windsor also recommends allowing members of the Royal Family to initiate conversations.

Rather than immediately approaching with questions, she suggests waiting to see whether the royal wishes to speak.

“You wait for them to start one if they want to, and you don’t ask personal questions,” she explained.

Avoiding intrusive questions is particularly important because royal encounters often take place during formal engagements or public events.

The conversation should remain polite and appropriate to the occasion.

For someone unfamiliar with royal protocol, allowing the royal to guide the exchange can make the interaction feel more natural.

The Most Important Advice Is Surprisingly Simple

Although royal etiquette can appear complicated, Windsor believes a successful encounter comes down to a few ordinary social skills.

She recommends smiling, maintaining eye contact and avoiding excessive nervous movements.

“You smile and give eye contact and try not to fidget too much,” she said.

“You want to be calm and collected.”

Her advice offers reassurance to anyone concerned about making a mistake when meeting a member of the Royal Family.

While traditions such as bowing, curtsying and formal titles remain familiar parts of royal life, none is compulsory for members of the public.

Ultimately, Windsor’s guidance is straightforward: remain respectful, follow the royal’s lead and approach the encounter with courtesy rather than anxiety.