Tell It To Tim's Blog

Queen Elizabeth wraps up her American tour this week with a white-tie State Dinner, hosted by the President and Mrs. Bush.  Tomorrow night, she hosts a dinner at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The President, according to many reports, had to be talked into the first white-tie event of his term in office by the First Lady.

There are some curious (and even funny) requirements for such a visit.  The guests (including the President and First Lady) are getting a lesson in royal protocol.

• The Queen should be addressed as, "Your Majesty."
• When the Queen begins eating, so may everyone else.
• When she's finished, the meal is over.
• One should not reach out and touch Her Majesty.
• If she reaches out to shake your hand, it is acceptable.
• Women may, but need not, curtsey.
• Gentlemen are not expected (at least in this country) to bow.

A few other fun facts, for you:

• The elder President Bush, who hosted the Queen on her last visit to the United States, is not invited tonight.  He and Barbara Bush will be at a dinner tomorrow night at the British Embassy.
• Her full title: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
• At public events, Her Majesty is known to move her handbag to another arm to signal to aides that she is bored with the conversation and needs to be rescued and introduced to someone else.

Must be nice.