5 awkward royal curtsies: Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and former UK prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May, got low to greet Queen Elizabeth

Sep 29 , 2021

The British royal website suggests curtsying upon meeting the queen, but Theresa May, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, and Margaret Thatcher are far from experts at it. Photos: @iamamoum/Twitter, Getty Images, PA Images via Getty Images

Thatcher’s deep dive was portrayed on Netflix’s The Crown by Gillian Anderson while Princess Anne pulled off an elaborate curtsy for Queen Letizia of Spain

There were ‘awws’ all round when Kate Middleton’s daughter, Princess Charlotte, copied her mum with a cute curtsy on her own on Christmas Day in 2019

While the official British royal website says, “there are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the queen or a member of the royal family”, it goes on to say that women who are introduced to royalty may do a “small curtsy”. This is defined as “a slight lowering of the body with bending of the knees”.

Let’s be fair: meeting any member of the British royal family, let alone the queen herself, must be a daunting prospect and can definitely lead to a case of the nerves. In addition to the magnitude of the situation, there is practically an entire book filled with rules of etiquette and proper behaviour. From how to address individual royals, to when to speak – or not – we can’t blame anyone for making a faux pas or two.

Here are a few times those introduced to royalty made an awkward curtsy, ending up with embarrassing – but also terribly funny – results.

Theresa May

Former UK prime minister Theresa May, in addition to having weekly audiences with Queen Elizabeth, often had engagements with other members of the royal family too, which is why it was surprising that she never quite managed to quite nail her curtsy technique. Opting for a very low dip, May looked awkward each time she attempted the move.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, also mum Sarah Ferguson, curtsy slightly awkwardly while remaining composed. Photos: @MonarchyUK/Twitter and Getty Images

Sisters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are also known for their deep and oftentimes socially awkward curtsies to their grandmother.