Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
New York Post
Queen Camilla awkwardly snubs France’s first lady Brigitte Macron’s attempt to hold her hand
By Lauren Sarner,
23 days ago
It was a royal gaffe.
On Thursday, Queen Camilla had an awkward moment with French first lady Brigitte Macron.
The royal, 76, was with Macron, 71, for an event commemorating D-Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Their husbands, King Charles, 75, and President Emmanuel Macron, 46, were also present.
The president’s wife reached out and attempted to hold Camilla’s hand for a sweet and solemn moment after the two women laid wreaths at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer.
Queen Camilla with Brigitte Macron at the D-Day event. REUTERS Macron tried to grasp Camilla’s hand, but Camilla didn’t reciprocate. Getty Images
Etiquette on how to greet royals has been a hot topic for a long time. In 2009, then-US first lady Michelle Obama made headlines for hugging the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Britain’s King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron. via REUTERS
“The Queen has the ability to make everyone feel so relaxed that sometimes it feels instinctive to be tactile with her, just as Michelle Obama demonstrated during the State Visit with her husband, President Obama, in 2009,” she wrote.
“Much has been made about the meeting between Michelle and Her Majesty when an instant and mutual warmth was shared between these two remarkable women, and protocol was abandoned as they stood closely with their arms around each other’s backs,” she continued. “In reality it was a natural instinct for the Queen to show affection and respect for another great woman and really there is no protocol that must be adhered to.”
Queen Camilla and King Charles III at the ceremony. via REUTERS Britain’s Queen Camilla, Britain’s King Charles III, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, French first lady Brigitte Macron and Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. via REUTERS France’s President Emmanuel Macron greets Britain’s Queen Camilla. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The royal family’s website states, “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,” which is defined as a slight neck bow from the head for men and a small curtsy for women.
But, the site adds, “a handshake is also acceptable.”
For his part, King Charles greeted President Macron with a hug and kissed Brigitte’s hand.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0