There’s nothing quite as satisfyingly fascinating than reporting on what it means to break Royal protocol. Christen your child in the afternoon instead of the morning: breaking royal protocol. Wearing a (conservative) lace dress: breaking royal protocol.
But this time, American actress Susan Sarandon has kicked things up a notch, having well and truly thrown the rule book out the window in a bid to meet the Queen.
Susan, glowing at the polo.
According to PEOPLE, Susan, 71, was hanging out at Sunday’s Royal Windsor Cup polo match when she thought it’d be fun to go say g’day to the Queen.
She excitedly approached the Queen, bending down to shake her hand – something that we may think is endearing, but apparently is a big no-no for the British Royals.
The moment Susan broke (probably unknowingly) royal protocol.
The Queen doesn’t seem to mind that Susan has broken the rules in reaching out to her.
Despite the Queen giving the Academy Award-winning star her new signature smile upon meeting her, royal protocol states that guests should wait to be introduced to the Queen before speaking to her, let alone shaking her hand.
Maybe it’s an American actress thing, but the newly minted Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is no stranger from breaking the rules. The “proud” feminist caused a (welcome) stir by breaking protocol at her very own Royal Wedding within 24 hours of saying I Do to Prince Harry. Her crime? Addressing her guests at the wedding reception (apparently this is an act reserved for the men in the wedding party – archaic, but true).
Up until this moment of their Royal Wedding, Meghan hadn’t broken any Royal rules…
Hilariously, Prince Philip, 97, didn’t seem to recognise Susan at first. As reported by the Daily Express, the Duke of Edinburgh leaned across his “Cabbage” to get a better look at the star, who stood out at the event in her chic low-cut frock and bright-red sandals.
Speaking of Prince Philip, the retired royal clearly has missed being on the events’ circuit; Philip was seen leaning in and chatting sweetly to his ‘Lilibet’, smiling from ear to ear as he watched the day’s proceedings play out.
Prince Philip clearly doesn’t know who Susan is…
There’s nothing like a bit of (unintentional) Prince Philip comedic relief to break what could’ve been a royally awkward situation!
