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| Meghan Markle |
By Chelena Goldman
Meghan Markle may have snagged herself a prince, but her induction into the royal family has only just begun. As the American-born actress readies to wed Prince Harry, she has to learn a whole new set of rules and regulations.
That’s right — Meghan is going to have etiquette lessons. And there is more to her princess training than just learning how to curtsy before Queen Elizabeth. (But we’ll get to that in just a second.)
*The Windsor Wave
Markle’s typical wave will no longer cut it. Etiquette experts were critical of Meghan’s wave in her first public appearance with Harry, calling her motion too enthusiastic. She will have to perfect that dainty gesture most associated with Queen Elizabeth and the British monarchy. “It’s a vertical hand with a slight twist from the wrist, a classy affair that oozes decorum but doesn’t get too excitable,” royal expert Victoria Arbiter tells ABC News
*Royal greeting
Markle’s typical greeting will also have to be fine-tuned. Royal etiquette expert Myka Meier tells The Observer that Meghan has to learn how to properly greet people — which is reportedly very different from the everyday greeting. “Verbiage is very different,” Meier says of British greetings versus American greetings. She notes that a formal “how do you do?” is most often used.
*The Duchess Slant
Kate Middleton will have to teach Meghan how to master the Duchess Slant. Crossing your legs may sound like the lady-like way to sit. But if you’re a royal, crossing your legs is actually frowned upon! Meghan will have to learn the Duchess Slant, named after her soon to be sister-in-law Kate Middleton. Meier tells People Magazine that “by slightly slanting the knees to create a zig-zag effect when wearing a dress or skirt, your legs are angled so that the camera only shoots the sides of your legs and protects your modesty.”
*The Cambridge Cross
There is one exception to the Duchess Slant, and that is the Cambridge Cross. (Again, named for Kate Middleton). This position is achieved by keeping knees pressed together and keeping both heels on the ground whilst crossing the ankles. It’s modest and doesn’t draw unnecessary attention up the legs.
*Utilizing utensils
The average night out will never be the same for Markle. Meier tells The Observer that the way Meghan eats will require princess lessons, “from how to hold cutlery to how the table is set, to which fork and knife are used and when.” Holding cutlery properly is a huge part of British etiquette, and is a way of showing respect for the culture and the monarchy.
*The curtsy
Curtsy etiquette is something Markle will also have to learn. Curtsy etiquette is incredibly important in the royal family, even among each other. Since Meghan is marrying into the family, she will have to curtsy to Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, and the other “blood royals” in the family. (Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, for example). However, if Prince Harry is with her at the time, Meghan’s “status” is elevated, and the blood princesses have to curtsy to her.
*Time for tea
Markle has already had tea with the queen, so she probably knows how to handle tea time. Tea time in the U.K. comes with a lot of rules. As one hotel tells Vogue, everything from when you add milk to how you pronounce the word “scone” has to be done a specific way. Since Meghan has reportedly already met the queen for tea, she has hopefully already started this part of her etiquette lessons.
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