Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will be in Ottawa today as part of a three-day Canadian tour.
The royal couple will make several stops in Ottawa, both privately and publicly.
If you’re lucky enough to meet the Prince and Duchess, there are a few rules of etiquette to follow that you may not be aware of.
Etiquette expert Julie Blais Comeau tells CTV Morning Live that manners and courtesy are of paramount importance.
“You are going to behave royally. This is when your manners will come out and you will be courteous and charming company. You will be inspired by the invitation you receive.
GREETINGS, HANDSHAKS AND FORMS OF ADDRESS
Blais Comeau says to let the royal couple come to you and follow their example.
“They are used to it. Let them come to you,” she says. “For the handshake, let them initiate. If you are not comfortable because we are still in this pandemic state, take your right hand, place it over your heart. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
She also says that Prince Charles is known to do the Namaste greeting, the anjali mudrawhere you bow slightly, hands clasped, palms touching and fingers pointing up, thumbs close to chest.
A curtsey with your right foot behind your left heel is another salutation that women and girls can use, while men and boys can bow at the neck.
The appropriate honorary title for Prince Charles and Camilla is “Your Royal Highness”. Then address them as “sir” and “madam” respectively.
“You don’t want to call him ‘Your Majesty.’ There is only one Majesty right now; it’s the Queen herself. Charles will have that title at some point, but you’ll address them as ‘Your Royal Highness’, says Blais Comeau .
WHAT TO TALK ABOUT
If you’re at an event with the royal couple, you probably won’t have long to chat, but if you have a few moments to chat, Blais Comeau says making the royals feel welcome is your first step.
“First: ‘Welcome to Canada!’ The same you would do with anyone you host,” she says. “Take a look at the route. Position where you are. Any conversation starts with doing your homework. It’s a bit of a pas de deuxa little back and forth, but you won’t have long!
HOW TO DRESS
How you dress will depend on the weather and where you are. The Prince and Duchess will visit a school and will also be at Rideau Hall, as well as some public places. Blais Comeau says location will dictate your style.
“It depends on the weather. It’s going to depend on the context. It’s going to be very different if you’re invited to that elementary school in Vanier or the Platinum Jubilee at Rideau Hall,” she says.
“Take off your sunglasses. This connection occurs in the eyes. Baseball caps, please remove them,” adds Blais Comeau. “Ladies, if you choose to have a fascinator or gentlemen, a hat for the weather, the gentlemen will take them off and ladies, no hats after 6:30 p.m..”
CAN YOU TAKE A SELFIE?
If you are requesting a photo, ask permission first.
“You’re going to put ‘please’ before ‘cheese’,” says Blais Comeau.
Selfies with the royal family were frowned upon before 2014, but Blais Comeau notes that the royal family has started to accept them.
“Guess who was the first to – I’m not going to say kiss the selfie – but say okay to the selfies was Prince Charles,” she says. “They’re so used to changing customs and that’s etiquette. If you’re in the mood for a selfie, make sure Prince Charles or Camilla are also in the mood for a selfie.
PINKIES UP IN HIGH TEA?
Short answer: No.
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