Andrew faces 'awkward' moment when meeting with Beatrice and Eugenie
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his royal titles last week and will face an awkward moment when he next meets his daughters
Prince Andrew is set to face an "awkward" situation when he next meets his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, following the loss of his Royal titles amid ongoing scrutiny over his association with Jeffrey Epstein. The Duke of York, 65, had already relinquished his title and stepped back from public duties after a disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019 where he faced backlash over his ties to Epstein.
Now, having been stripped of his Royal status, the Daily Mail's Ephraim Hardcastle column suggests that Andrew will find himself in a tricky position when he next encounters his daughters, who are expected to retain their own Royal ranks. The columnist notes: "Andrew, reduced to the rank of commoner, finds himself in the awkward position of having to bow to the rest of the family - including his own daughters."
The column further reveals that Andrew was reportedly "quite boorish" towards Princess Catherine when she was first introduced to the Royal family. It states: "A firm believer in the exalted status of blue blood, Andrew didn't exactly make Kate feel welcome, insisting on deference and curtsies from the awkward newcomer. Kate may be forgiven for enjoying a little schadenfreude just now."
Royal biographer Robert Hardman predicts that Andrew will "probably" bow when greeting his daughters. Speaking on the Daily Mail's Palace Confidential podcast, he stated: "He will have to bow to everybody that's assuming he's in the room with the rest of the family."
When questioned if he would be "happy" with that, Hardman responded: "No I don't. I don't think he will be in any hurry to change that sort of thing."
The Royal Family's official website states there are no "obligatory codes" for greeting a member of The Firm, although it recognises that "many people wish to observe the traditional forms".
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Traditionally, men would bow - from the neck down - when greeting a Royal or offer a handshake in the usual manner. Women, on the other hand, typically curtsy when greeting the royals.
Catherine, as the Princess of Wales, is considered one of the most high-ranking members of the Royal Family. While she used to curtsy to Beatrice and Eugenie when meeting them alone, the Daily Express reports she now only extends the gesture to two royals.
Kate is reported to curtsy for her father-in-law, The King as well as Queen Camilla. Prince William is also said to bow when he meets the King and Queen, according to The Express.
During the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte in July, Kate was seen curtseying four times in relatively quick succession.
According to the Royal Insider, this move was viewed as a "masterclass in showing profound respect on the world stage."
Kate was first spotted performing a double curtsy as the King conversed with Macron. She later offered individual curtsies to both the King and Queen, with the Queen also planting a kiss on Kate's cheek.
