Not forgetting her royal etiquette, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh displayed the correct protocol, but with an informal touch as she entered Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service on March 11.
Duchess Sophie greeted Queen Camilla with an informal kiss on the cheek, followed by a polite curtsy before moving swiftly out of her way, so that her husband, Prince Edward would have a chance to greet the Queen at the service.
Waiting patiently in line was Princess Anne, who also greeted her sister-in-law with a kiss on the cheek but skipped the curtsey, despite royal protocol suggesting anyone with an HRH title should bow to the sovereign and his wife.
The royals have opted for a more casual approach since the death of the late Queen Elizabeth. For instance, King Charles and Camilla have often greeted relatives with kisses on the cheek, as seen at events such as Princess Kate’s Christmas carol concert.
The Commonwealth Service was attended by Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, while King Charles continues to undergo treatment for cancer. It came at a testing time for the family, with both King Charles and the Princess of Wales absent from official engagements.
In a virtual address to Westminster Abbey, the reigning monarch called for unity and pledged to continue serving the Commonwealth.
The King described “diversity” as the Commonwealth’s core “strength”, and said the 56 countries comprising it were a “precious source of strength, inspiration, and pride” to him.
In a video message, he said: “In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.”
The day’s theme of resilience came as the royal family grappled with how to manage intense public interest in the King and Princess of Wales’ health issues.
