Theresa May's curtsy labelled 'theatrical' by expert

PA

Theresa May's curtsying style has been dubbed "theatrical" by an etiquette expert who said the gesture is not meant to steal the limelight from the occasion.

The Prime Minister hit the headlines when her formal greeting for the Duke of Cambridge, at a First World War commemoration event in France on Wednesday, prompted criticism on social media.

Grant Harrold, a former royal butler who now teaches etiquette, quipped about Mrs May's very low curtsy: "If you go that far down, the chances are you might not get back up."

Mrs May displays here trademark low curtsy when greeting the Queen during the start of King Felipe of Spain's state visit to the UK in 2017. (Ben Stansall/PA)
Mrs May displays here trademark low curtsy when greeting the Queen during the start of King Felipe of Spain's state visit to the UK in 2017. (Ben Stansall/PA)

He added: "With the royal family, if anybody wishes to bow or curtsy I think the monarchy website says it's a personal decision, you're not going to get carted off to the Tower of London if you don't.

"They will appreciate it and acknowledge it but with Theresa May it's a bit too deep for me, it's like she's trying to do a theatrical curtsy."

In June, Mrs May treated William to a similar display at a ceremony at the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre with her long legs splayed out.

The Prime Minister is not the first politician to over-egg her curtsy - her predecessor Margaret Thatcher habitually dipped almost to a crouching position while greeting the Queen.

Sarah, Duchess of York has a similar curtsying style as the prime minister and is pictured here greeting King Olav of Norway at Windsor Castle in 1988. (PA)
Sarah, Duchess of York has a similar curtsying style as the prime minister and is pictured here greeting King Olav of Norway at Windsor Castle in 1988. (PA)

Mr Harrold, who worked for the Prince of Wales's household from 2004 to 2011, said about curtsying: "You're not trying to draw attention from what you're doing and who you're with.

"It should be right foot behind left, or whichever is the stronger leg, and a little bob of the head."

He added: "When I worked for the royal family I never saw anyone curtsy like (Mrs May)."

The official monarchy website states: "There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the Queen or a member of the royal family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.

When the then Australian prime minister Julia Gillard met the Queen in 2011, she sidestepped the curtsy problem by shaking hands (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)
When the then Australian prime minister Julia Gillard met the Queen in 2011, she sidestepped the curtsy problem by shaking hands (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

"For men, this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way."

Despite attending the exclusive Hurst Lodge preparatory school, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York also had an unusual curtsy, seen on her wedding day.

She sank into her voluminous silk dress as she lowered herself to the ground when greeting her new mother-in-law, the Queen.

Former Australian prime minister and staunch republican Julia Gillard decided to swerve the curtsy altogether when she met the Queen in 2011, shocking protocol experts by opting for a swift bob of the head and a handshake.

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