I rarely want to give a politician a Welsh cwtch [cuddle] but I did feel that poor Mr Renzi needed one today. Having welcomed King Harald V of Norway to Rome, Mr Renzi either automatically or in a state of some nervousness offered his hand, only to have the gesture spurned by the King. The reason is thought to be that protocol requires royals to offer their hand first.
Video via La Repubblica
Well, protocol or no protocol, I know who I think was ruder! What about you?
It is even rarer for me to defend the royalty of my own country - I am not known for my monarchist sympathies - but I have to say I cannot imagine Elizabeth II being so impolite. When Mr Berlusconi put his hand on her shoulder a few years ago - definitely a breach of protocol - did she go off in a huff or refuse to speak to him? She did not. She just carried on with the job, as she always does.
I think Mr Renzi is to be congratulated for recovering himself so quickly. As for His Majesty, a little humility would go a long way.
3 comments:
I agree with you, Pat! What load of nonsense! How rude! For God's sake! It's 2016!!!
A lot of the protocol stuff is such rubbish! poor man.
In thought it was incredibly rude, Lee. Totally agree, Liz,
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