Princess Lilibet, who celebrated her fifth birthday on 4 June, is now expected to follow a new royal rule. According to royal experts, children of the royal family are traditionally required to curtsy or bow when greeting the reigning monarch from around the age of five.
Royal expert Marlene Eilers Koenig explained to HELLO! magazine that the only person a royal highness must curtsy or bow to is the sovereign. She clarified that this etiquette applies upon first meeting the monarch and again when leaving. Koenig noted that this practice was observed at Christmas church services with the Cambridges and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Myka Meier of Beaumont Etiquette told People that royal children begin etiquette training as soon as they are old enough to sit at a table. This includes formal meals, voice levels, and dressing appropriately. It remains unclear what formal training Lilibet and her brother Archie, 7, will receive, as they are being raised in Montecito, California.
On her birthday, Meghan shared a photo of Lilibet walking barefoot in the garden at their Montecito home, wearing a Cult Gaia 'Lola' dress she had previously worn. The image showed the princess accessorised with gold jewellery, echoing her mother's style. Meghan captioned the post: 'Our dream girl. Happy 5th birthday, Lili.'
