Royal Wedding etiquette

maddymoo

Having watched the day with interest I have been left intrigued by one thing that I noted. The military personnel I'm surrounded by have been unable to answer my question and I was wondering whether anyone on MSE might be able to help.

When Prince William took the salute on the way back to Buckingham Palace after the wedding, Kate lowered her eyes on each occasion. I was wondering what the significance of her doing this was. As I said my husband hasn't got a clue. Can anyone help??

MrsE_2

I noticed that too.

easyhost

if you noticed, prince harry and charles also saluted as they approached the archway

maddymoo

I know why they all took the salute. I was just intrigued as to why Catherine lowered her eyes each time William saluted.

StevieB1976

She lowered her head as a sign of respect, both for the soldiers on parade and the glorious dead. Prince William saluted either when the troops were giving a salute or he was passing memorials such as The Cenotaph.

If you attend a Remembrance parade and look around there wil be non uniformed attendees with their heads bowed while the 2 minute silence takes place, during which time the WO's and Officers will salute.

moonrakerz

StevieB1976 wrote: »

She lowered her head as a sign of respect, both for the soldiers on parade and the glorious dead. Prince William saluted either when the troops were giving a salute or he was passing memorials such as The Cenotaph.

Not strictly true.

The royals in uniform all saluted the Cenotaph when they passed it, Kate (and other non military persons) bowed her head at the same time as a mark of respect - she had obviously been very well briefed.

It is considered "bad form" not to look directly at military personnel who are on parade for your benefit - you certainly would not lower your head when passing a Guard of Honour, which is, in effect, what these route lining soldiers/sailors/airmen were.

The military personnel lining the route were all at the "present" when certain royals passed, it is not necessary for the person being saluted to return the salute in this case, as they would be permanently so doing. Although they would be at liberty to return a salute for any reason - if he recognised one of the personnel a salute would be "chopped off" in preference to a thumbs-up :rotfl:

brian_723

Did these guys have loads of fake medals , like the queens husband has .

mumps

brian_723 wrote: »

Did these guys have loads of fake medals , like the queens husband has .

He was a Naval Officer, maybe that's where he got his medals?

easyhost

moonrakerz wrote: »

Not strictly true.

The royals in uniform all saluted the Cenotaph when they passed it, Kate (and other non military persons) bowed her head at the same time as a mark of respect - she had obviously been very well briefed.

It is considered "bad form" not to look directly at military personnel who are on parade for your benefit - you certainly would not lower your head when passing a Guard of Honour, which is, in effect, what these route lining soldiers/sailors/airmen were.

The military personnel lining the route were all at the "present" when certain royals passed, it is not necessary for the person being saluted to return the salute in this case, as they would be permanently so doing. Although they would be at liberty to return a salute for any reason - if he recognised one of the personnel a salute would be "chopped off" in preference to a thumbs-up :rotfl:

this is going slightly off what the OP asked.

the salute and bow asked was on the return to buckingham palace after going through the gates as the carriage approached the archway leading in the courtyard william saluted and kate bowed her head

moonrakerz

easyhost wrote: »

the salute and bow asked was on the return to buckingham palace after going through the gates as the carriage approached the archway leading in the courtyard

Where does it say that ?

It says:
"When Prince William took the salute on the way back to Buckingham Palace after the wedding, Kate lowered her eyes on each occasion"

It doesn't mention exactly where this occurred - there is absolutely no reason why they should do this when entering Buckingham Palace and indeed, it doesn't mention Buckingham Palace.

maddymoo

It was on every occasion William took the salute after leaving the Abbey on their way back to Buckingham Palace. I was simply intrigued as to why Kate did this, and found it quite a moving thing to see.