How to Greet the Queen

The queen of England is a very popular figure around the world. When it comes to greeting the queen, there are traditional ways of going about it. If you are not sure how to greet the queen, the following steps will help you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Usually the main thing to keep in mind is to be courteous. The rules are slightly different for men than they are for women and so you will need to know which greeting to give depending upon whether you are male or female.

2. If you are a man then the first thing you should do when meeting the queen is bow your head.

3. If you are female, greet the queen with small curtsy. Whether you are male or female, you can simply just shake the queen’s hand if you would prefer.

4. When speaking to the queen, address her as "Your Majesty." Afterwards, you may address her as "Ma’am" throughout the conversation.

5. When meeting the queen, stay quiet unless you are spoken to. Whilst these are modern times, it is traditional to wait until the queen speaks to you.

6. Don’t forget to smile. It is a happy occasion after all and you do not want to seem miserable about meeting the queen.

7. If you would like to follow tradition, never leave a room before the queen does. If you must leave first, walk out backwards, as it is rude to show the queen your back. However, in these modern times, this is certainly not an essential rule.

8. If write to the queen, address her as "Your Royal Highness" or
   "Your Majesty." Close with "Yours Sincerely." If you want to open more formally, use "Madam" and close with "I have the honor to be, Madam, Your Majesty’s humble and obedient servant."

Tips & Warnings

• These rules only apply to people living in Britain. However, the rules are not overly strict. Being courteous is the important thing.
• You are not permitted to touch the queen. If you do, you could be arrested, or at least tackled, by her bodyguards or the police.

[SchoolOfLife]

on 4/13/2009 The two previous posters need to change their ways of thinking, and show some respect for another country's traditions and public figure. It's a good thing that you would probably never have the opportunity to interact with the Queen, because you would be an embarrassing representative of your own country.

[kjswitz2]

on 6/14/2008 his is 2008. She deserves respect, she's the Queen of England... BUT, she need not be so prissy about it that it makes HER down right rude. And if I want to talk to her, and she's standing there in my face, I'll talk to her, not her, "Private Secretary of Her Majesty the Queen," to relay my "message" to her. We all wipe our butts the same way. A true leader realizes that the people do not work for them, that they work for the good of their people. It's time for a self exam don't you think?

Her Majesty's not "prissy" She's classy. She's kind and very bright! She can't help the rules that are made! You must respect Her as you respect the President. And I know that the Queens knows that a leader serves and should not be served. If you ever read about Her, She is a very busy person.

[amy2903]

on 3/2/2008 This is 2008. She deserves respect, she's the Queen of England... BUT, she need not be so prissy about it that it makes HER down right rude. And if I want to talk to her, and she's standing there in my face, I'll talk to her, not her, "Private Secretary of Her Majesty the Queen," to relay my "message" to her. We all wipe our butts the same way. A true leader realizes that the people do not work for them, that they work for the good of their people. It's time for a self exam don't you think?