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In case you hadn’t heard, Prince Harry is currently taken — and by a pretty stellar lady, might we add.
While this certainly isn’t the first time Prince Harry has dated someone who isn’t a fellow royal or from a “noble” family, his relationship with actress Meghan Markle has already bucked a few typical traditions.
After all, there was that time that Kensington Palace issued a rare statement confirming the relationship and slamming “social media trolls” and newspapers for harassing Markle and her family. And the time Harry broke a royal rule to visit Markle in Toronto, Canada.
Also unprecedented? Markle is the first American woman to whom Prince Harry has been seriously linked.
“Traditionally, years ago, a member of the royal family did not ‘court’ anyone outside of a royal or noble family from Britain or Europe,” says William Hanson, a leading etiquette coach and expert in the U.K.
As such, there’s little precedence or protocol for how Markle might conduct herself in public while dating the Prince, Hanson tells us. But just because there’s no official handbook for how to date a royal doesn’t mean there aren’t expectations for how one should act.
“Anyone courting any member of royalty should first respect the lover, but secondly (and equally as important), respect the institution to which their new squeeze represents and act in a civilized and dignified manner,” Hanson tells us.
To do so includes following a few simple rules of etiquette and manners, which Hanson has so kindly filled us in on. Click ahead for your unofficial guide to dating a royal — you know, for when that inevitably happens. We know this isn’t exactly practical knowledge, but isn’t it fun to get an inside look at how the other half lives (and behaves)?
Don’t talk about your relationship publicly.
Especially not to the press. It might seem tempting (and even irresistible) to gush about your new romance, and even more so if you’re approached by a news outlet. But, as Hanson says, steer clear of all relationship chatter, unless you want to risk losing said relationship.
“Talk about charitable works, any upcoming work-related projects, but don’t…[use] the new fame to air your thoughts and feelings on love,” he says. “Not unless you wish for the relationship to end pretty pronto.”
Don’t get touchy-feely in front of people.
Sorry, LeBron James — this includes putting your arm around a member of the royal family. We’re sure James meant no harm, but apparently the NBA star made a common faux-pas when he casually slung an arm around Kate Middleton.
“Americans have a habit of being too tactile with British royalty,” Hanson says. “When first meeting a member of the royal family, it is polite to bow or curtsy, although technically this rule only applies for British and Commonwealth citizens where Her Majesty is head of state.”
He explains: “Americans do not have to bow or curtsy, but many chose to do so out of respect.” But no matter where you’re from, “keep your hand by your side until the queen’s hand extends to you. A handshake is the only physical contact you will have with that member of the royal family.”
Know how to address royalty.
If things get serious enough for you to meet other members of the royal family, you’ll need to know how to actually address them.
“The queen is addressed as ‘Your Majesty’ and then ‘ma’am,’ and all other members of the royal family are ‘Your Royal Highness,’ followed by ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am,’ depending on their gender,” Hanson says.
Have some (table) manners.
Congrats! You’ve taken your relationship to the next level, and now you’ve been invited to dinner with your S.O.’s family — and the queen herself will be there.
Now what?
First things first: Know your way around table etiquette.
“When dining with royalty, know that you must not begin eating until the most senior member of royalty present has begun eating,” Hanson says. “Similarly, when the senior member of the royal family has stopped eating, then you must quickly stop, too.”
Leaving the table is also a big no-no. “Never leave the table during any meal until all food has been cleared and the lunch/dinner well and truly finished,” Hanson warns. “You cannot keep popping out to the loo or to check your phone.”
Dress the part.
You probably won’t have to invest in a pillbox hat straightaway, but expect to dress a little more formally than you would on a day-to-day basis when you attend events with your boo.
Some events “at court” (a royal household) will be more formal than others, Hanson says.
“State banquets and diplomatic receptions are white tie, for example, and other formal dinners are black tie.”
Events during the day, however, are slightly less formal — business wear (i.e. cocktail dresses or a matching skirt-suit set) as traditionally expected, but Hanson says, “Their Royal Highnesses Princes William and Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge have been turning up to events recently in ‘smart casual’ dress, which means no denim.”
When in doubt, just make sure you don’t wear jeans.
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