Being part of the British royal family might look glamorous from the outside, but let me tell you, it comes with a whole lot of rules. And we’re not just talking about what to wear or how to behave at formal events. There’s an entire protocol around something as seemingly simple as curtsying. If you’ve ever wondered why people bow and curtsy in the royal family—or who exactly gets a curtsy—you’re about to get the inside scoop. Let’s break it down in a way that even someone like me can understand.

Why Curtsy? It’s Not Just About Politeness

When Queen Elizabeth walks into a room, everyone pays their respects. That means curtsying or bowing, depending on your gender. Even Prince Philip, her husband, has to bow to her because she’s the queen. But here’s the thing: once you’ve curtsied to Her Majesty, you’re not done. There’s a whole sequence of curtsying that follows a very specific order. It’s like a dance, but instead of music, there are titles and ranks guiding your moves.

Let’s say you’re at a royal gathering and Queen Elizabeth is present. She’s the most important royal, so she gets the first curtsy. Next up are her children, in order of age. Makes sense, right? But hold on, because it gets more complicated from here. You see, there are "blood princesses" and then there are those who marry into the family. The blood princesses—like Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Charlotte—outrank anyone who marries into the family. This rule was set in stone by Queen Elizabeth herself back in 2005, after Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles.

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Understanding the Hierarchy: Blood vs. Marriage

So, what happens when Camilla is in the room with Princess Anne or Princess Alexandra? Well, if Camilla is alone, Anne and Alexandra don’t need to curtsy to her because they’re "blood princesses." But if Camilla is with Charles, Anne and Alexandra do have to curtsy. Why? Because Charles outranks them. Confusing, right? But that’s the royal way.

Now, let’s talk about the wives. When a royal couple is together, the wife takes on her husband’s rank. For example, if Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are in a room with the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie, Meghan only needs to curtsy to the Queen, Prince Charles, and Camilla. Why? Because they outrank her. But if Harry isn’t there, Meghan would have to curtsy to everyone. That’s a lot of bowing!

Kate vs. Meghan: Who Curtsies to Whom?

Now, what about Kate Middleton? She’s married to Prince William, who has a higher rank than Prince Harry. That means Meghan has to curtsy to Kate. But let’s be real here: these two are probably not worrying about formalities when they’re hanging out in private. Still, if they’re at an official event, Meghan would need to pay her respects to her sister-in-law.

And speaking of Kate, she has her own curtsy duties. She has to curtsy to anyone who outranks Prince William, which includes the Queen, Prince Charles, and Camilla. Again, it’s all about the hierarchy. It’s fascinating, isn’t it? But also a little exhausting to keep track of.

Perfecting the Royal Curtsy

Now that you know who curtsies to whom, the next step is mastering the curtsy itself. Trust me, it’s harder than it looks. You’ve got to get the angle just right, keep your back straight, and make it look effortless. It’s like a dance move, but with more elegance and less twerking. Practice makes perfect, so if you ever find yourself in a room with the royal family, you’ll be ready.