Advertisement

Princess Anne on why she doesn't shake hands with people during walkabouts

Princess Anne has stuck to traditional etiquette (PA)
Princess Anne has stuck to traditional etiquette (PA)

Princess Anne has explained why she doesn’t shake hands with people during walkabouts, on ITV’s new series Queen of the World.

Before the Queen relaxed the rules in the 1970s, the royal family stuck to a much more traditional etiquette, which the Princess Royal still follows.

She said in the documentary: “We never shook hands, the theory was that you couldn’t shake hands with everybody, so don’t start, so I kind of stick with that, but I notice others don’t.”

Harry and Meghan during a walkabout in Edinburgh (PA)
Harry and Meghan during a walkabout in Edinburgh (PA)

The younger royals, Kate, William, Harry and Meghan, in particular, have adopted the relaxed rules, regularly shaking hands with people they meet.

The Queen’s only daughter, 68, added: “It’s not for me to say that it’s wrong, but I think the initial concept was it was patently absurd to start shaking hands.

“And it seems to me that it’s become a shaking hands exercise rather than a walkabout.”

She went on to explain that modern technology has changed things as well.

“Phones are bad enough but the iPads, you can’t even see their heads. No idea who you’re talking to.”

In May this year, Princess Anne was revealed to be the hardest working royal of 2018 so far, having racked up 75 days of service, followed by Prince Edward with 59 and Prince Charles with 52.

ITV’s two-part programme will focus on the Queen and how she is helping the younger royals connect with the Commonwealth.

The film captures the Monarch, 92, having to re-record her Christmas speech after being interrupted by a bird chirping and will also show the Duchess of Sussex being reunited with her Givenchy bridal gown for the first time since her wedding day.

Queen Of The World starts on 25 September, 9pm, ITV

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK.

Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

Meghan Markle shows off her sporty side as she and Prince Harry attend Coach Core Awards

Who is Kate Middleton’s best friend Sophie Carter?

Duchess of Sussex reveals sweet tribute to couple’s first date in her ‘something blue’