The Conversation (0)
Ariana Baio
Sep 10, 2022
King Charles tells Prime Minister Liz Truss he had 'been dreading' death ...
Independent
It's customary for people to curtsy or bow when appearing before the monarch, and Prime Minister Liz Truss is finding that the way one curtsies can be highly scrutinized.
While appearing before King Charles III for their first weekly audience, Truss slightly bowed her head and gave a small bend to her knees which people found awkward.
"Lots to think about this week, mainly how Liz Truss curtsies," a Twitter user said attaching a video of the King and Truss's encounter.
Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
Although there is no 'official' rule when greeting a member of the Royal Family, many people adhere to the traditional bow or curtsy.
The official Royal Family website says, "for men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy."
But the line between a small curtsy and an awkward one is very fine. As former PM Theresa May knows - she was highly criticized for her too-low curtsy.
\u201cThe King has held the first of his weekly audiences with Prime Minister Liz Truss at Buckingham Palace.\n\nThe details of their meeting and what was discussed will, as always, remain private between the pair.\n\nhttps://t.co/bdb9lI0VPE\u201d— ITV News Politics (@ITV News Politics) 1662747271
In a traditional curtsy, a person will place one leg behind the other and bend their knees slightly while bowing their head. The heel of their back foot remains off the ground until they stand back up.
People criticized Truss's curtsy for being quick and stiff.
\u201cThe PM is held up by wires attached to the kilted equerry's head.\u201d— Mark Simpson (@Mark Simpson) 1662753485
"Having a bad back be like," a Twitter user wrote.
"I couldn't figure out why Truss looked so odd, it's because she hunches her back rather than have her back straight and bend her knees," another person pointed out.
\u201cLiz Truss's curtsy looks more like the reaction to suddenly and unexpectedly shitting yourself.\u201d— \ud835\udde5\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddef\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddff\ud835\ude01 \ud835\uddda\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf1\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddf9 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf39\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa (@\ud835\udde5\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddef\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddff\ud835\ude01 \ud835\uddda\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf1\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddf9 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf39\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa) 1662751010
Some people compared the Prime Minister's curtsy to that of Theresa May's.
\u201cShe\u2019s actual Theresa May V2 man\u201d— kieran \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea (@kieran \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea) 1662753692
Having only taken office this week, Truss may get a pass from some for her awkward curtsy. But not on Twitter...
\u201cLiz Truss curtsies like it's her first night in a gay club\u201d— SHANE REACTION (@SHANE REACTION) 1662748887
\u201c@imshanereaction\u201d— SHANE REACTION (@SHANE REACTION) 1662748887
\u201c@macbag1 @imshanereaction\u201d— SHANE REACTION (@SHANE REACTION) 1662748887
\u201c@imshanereaction @DaleBrogan\u201d— SHANE REACTION (@SHANE REACTION) 1662748887
Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.