Would Meghan Have To Curtsy To Kate? Unpacking Royal Protocol

The fascinating world of royal traditions often sparks a lot of curiosity, and one question that keeps popping up involves Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales. People often wonder about the formal greetings, particularly if Meghan would have to curtsy to Kate. This question, it seems, captures a good bit of public interest, especially when you consider the unique roles each woman holds within the British royal family. It is a topic that brings up discussions about rank, respect, and the long-standing customs that shape how the monarchy operates.

For many, understanding these traditions can be a bit tricky. The rules about who bows or curtsies to whom are pretty old and can feel a little complicated from the outside. Yet, these gestures are a really important part of showing respect within the royal household, so you know. They are not just random acts; they actually tell a story about the order and the way things are done among the royal members.

This ongoing discussion about Meghan and Kate's interactions, including the curtsy, shows just how much people care about the royal family. It's almost as if everyone wants to know the proper way things are handled, especially when it comes to two very public figures. As a matter of fact, the interest in this specific question tends to rise, say, when there are public gatherings or when new royal information comes out, a trend you might see if you looked at search data.

Table of Contents

• Meghan Markle: A Brief Biography
• Understanding Royal Curtsy Rules
• The Hierarchy Between Meghan and Kate
• The Curtsy on Meghan's Wedding Day
• Current Situations and Future Implications
• Meghan and Kate Today
• Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Curtsies
• Final Thoughts on Royal Greetings

Meghan Markle: A Brief Biography

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, whose birth name is Rachel Meghan Markle, came into the world on August 4, 1981. She is an American lady who became a part of the British royal family, you know. Before joining the monarchy, she was quite known as a media personality, a business person, and a performer.

Her path from Hollywood to becoming a duchess is pretty interesting, so it is. She was an actress before she married Prince Harry, and that marriage certainly changed her life in a big way. She's also a mom of two children, and she's been quite open about sharing her experiences, as a matter of fact.

Recently, she marked her 44th birthday, which included a dinner with friends and family, and she also used social media in a fresh way on that day. Her company, As Ever, even gave her a warm shout-out for her birthday, which is nice. She's been busy, too, with discussions about extending her partnership with Netflix, apparently, beyond their current agreement.

Meghan is also someone who champions human rights and gender fairness. Her work for women and girls has always been a constant part of her efforts to help others, which is something many people admire about her. She truly believes in making a difference, you know, and her advocacy has been a consistent thread in her public life.

Meghan Markle: Personal Details and Bio Data

Understanding Royal Curtsy Rules

The rules for curtsying and bowing within the British royal family are a really old set of customs. They are basically a way to show respect to those who hold a higher position in the family's pecking order. It's not just about age, but about rank, which is something that tends to be quite important in royal circles.

Generally, members of the royal family show this formal greeting to the monarch, the King or Queen, and to their spouses. So, you know, both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, when they were active working royals, would have had to curtsy to the late Queen Elizabeth, for instance. That's a pretty clear rule, actually.

These gestures are a public display of deference, and they are usually seen during official gatherings or when members formally meet. It's a way of acknowledging someone's position, so it is. The rules can get a little bit more detailed when it comes to other family members, which is where some of the confusion might come in.

It's interesting to see how these traditions play out in real life, especially when new members join the family. The expectation is that everyone learns and follows these long-standing guidelines. It's part of being a member of the royal household, you see, and it helps keep things in order.

The Hierarchy Between Meghan and Kate

When it comes to Meghan and Kate, the question of who curtsies to whom really comes down to their husbands' positions in the line of succession. Prince William, Kate's husband, is next in line after his father, King Charles III, so he is. Prince Harry, Meghan's husband, is further down the line, which makes a pretty big difference in royal standing.

Because Kate is married to Prince William, who has a higher royal rank than Prince Harry, Meghan has to curtsy for Kate. This is a rule that has been in place for a long time, apparently. It's not about their personal relationship, but about the structure of the royal family itself, which is a rather formal system.

This means that, in formal settings, Meghan would typically show this mark of respect to Kate. It's a recognition of Kate's position as the wife of a future king, which is a significant role. This applies even though Meghan is also a duchess, just like Kate. The hierarchy is pretty clear, you know, when you look at the line of succession.

However, it's worth noting that these two probably skip these formalities when they are just spending time together in a more private, relaxed way. It's more about public appearances and official functions where these rules are strictly observed, as a matter of fact. When they are just family, things might be a bit more casual, or so it seems.

The Curtsy on Meghan's Wedding Day

Many people remember seeing Meghan Markle show a curtsy to Kate Middleton on her wedding day. This act was a very public display of her understanding and acceptance of the royal rules. It showed that she was ready to follow the established traditions of the family she was joining, you know.

That curtsy on her wedding day was not just a one-time thing, apparently. The understanding was that she would continue to do so forever, as the royal rules dictate. It was an important moment that really highlighted the hierarchy within the royal family for everyone watching, so it was.

It's interesting how a single gesture can carry so much meaning and draw so much attention. For many, it was a clear signal of how Meghan was fitting into her new role and acknowledging the established order. This formal greeting is a very visible part of royal life, after all.

The fact that this moment is still talked about shows just how much interest there is in these specific royal customs. It truly cemented in many people's minds the way these formal greetings work, especially for someone new coming into the fold. It was a pretty significant visual lesson, basically.

Current Situations and Future Implications

The situation with Meghan and Harry has changed quite a bit since they stepped back from their roles as working royals and moved to California. They are living their own lives there, as many people know. This move has certainly brought up new questions about how royal protocol applies to them now, you know.

Royal highnesses generally only bow and curtsy to majesties, meaning the King or Queen. So, in theory, Meghan would only have to do so to Kate once Kate becomes Queen, which would happen when Prince William ascends to the throne. That's a pretty important point to consider, actually, for the future.

However, there's also the current rule that Meghan has to curtsy to Kate because Kate is married to Prince William, who holds a higher rank than Harry. This is the present rule, regardless of their current living situation. It's a matter of the established royal pecking order, you see.

Some royal experts believe that Prince Harry and Meghan won't make a permanent return to the UK anytime soon. One reason suggested is that the Duchess of Sussex might not want to curtsy to Prince William's wife when he becomes king. This is a rather strong claim, but it shows the weight these traditions can carry.

It seems that the question of who curtsies to whom is not just about a simple gesture, but it touches upon deeper issues of status and public role within the monarchy. The dynamic is quite complex, you know, and it continues to be a subject of much discussion and speculation.

Meghan and Kate Today

Today, Meghan and Harry live in California, and their public roles are quite different from those of working royals. This means their interactions with the British royal family, including Kate, are less frequent and often happen in specific circumstances. The daily expectations for formal greetings are not quite the same, you know.

Even so, the fundamental rules of royal protocol, like the curtsy, are still there. When Meghan is in an official setting with other members of the royal family, especially those with higher rank, the expectation for a curtsy would still be present. It's a matter of respecting the established customs, after all.

It's interesting to consider how these rules adapt, or don't adapt, to changing circumstances. The core principles of respect and hierarchy remain, even when individuals' roles shift. So, while they have their own lives in California, the royal traditions still apply when they are in formal royal company, apparently.

The topic of Meghan's curtsies, whether to Kate or other senior royals, keeps people talking. It's a small gesture, but it speaks volumes about the structure and history of the monarchy. It's a good example of how old traditions continue to shape modern interactions within the royal household, you know.

Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Curtsies

Does Meghan still have to curtsy when she sees Kate?

Yes, in formal settings, Meghan still has to curtsy to Kate. This is because Kate is married to Prince William, who has a higher royal rank than Prince Harry. The rules of royal hierarchy dictate this, so it is. However, in private, informal moments, they might skip these formal greetings, which is pretty common for family members.

Why did Meghan Markle have to curtsy to Kate Middleton?

Meghan Markle had to curtsy to Kate Middleton because of the established royal pecking order. Prince William, Kate's husband, is a future king, placing him higher in rank than Prince Harry. This means Kate, as the wife of a more senior royal, receives the curtsy from Meghan. It's a way of showing respect for rank within the family, you know.

Who does Meghan Markle have to curtsy to?

Meghan Markle would generally curtsy to members of the royal family who hold a higher rank than her husband, Prince Harry. This includes the monarch (King Charles III), his wife (Queen Camilla), and Prince William and his wife, Kate. She also curtsied to Queen Elizabeth II, as a matter of fact. The general rule is to show deference to those above you in the royal structure.

Final Thoughts on Royal Greetings

The question of whether Meghan would have to curtsy to Kate is a really good way to think about the deep-rooted traditions of the British royal family. These customs, like the curtsy, are not just random acts; they show the long history and the way things are organized within the monarchy. They are about respect and recognizing each person's place, you know, in the grand scheme of things.

While Meghan and Harry have chosen a different path, living their lives in California, the rules of royal etiquette still stand when they are in formal royal settings. The hierarchy, with Kate's husband Prince William being higher in the line of succession than Harry, means that the formal gesture of a curtsy remains a part of the protocol, apparently. It is a subtle but very clear sign of who stands where in the family's official structure.

Understanding these traditions helps us appreciate the unique world of the royals. It shows how even in modern times, old customs continue to shape interactions and public perceptions. To learn more about the royal family's customs, you could visit the official royal family website, for instance. You can also learn more about royal traditions on our site, and find out more about Meghan Markle's life and work here.