King Charles likely picked up on Dame Shirley Bassey forgetting royal protocol when he handed over her honor this week, but he probably let this one slip.
The famous singer was made a Companion of Honour by King Charles at Windsor Castle this week, and Dame Shirley Bassey admitted she was more terrified of accepting it over other occasions when she performed in front of the palace. The esteemed accolade has been awarded to other stars, including Harry Potter creator J. K. Rowling, as well as national treasure Sir David Attenborough. Let’s see what happened when she came face-to-face with the royal.
Dame Shirley Bassey grabbed King Charles’ hands because she was so nervous
The 87-year-old knew she made a big mistake.
She said afterward: “I think it’s more nerve-racking to receive the award from him than to sing in front of him. I mean, it’s new, different, whereas singing I’ve been doing since I was a child.
“I forgot to curtsy, but that’s why I grabbed his hands because I forgot to curtsy. Instinctive.”
She was joined by her daughter, grandson and great-granddaughter at the ceremony.
But Shirley Bassey admitted later she was aware she ‘shouldn’t’ have broken protocol when it came to meeting King Charles.
The Diamonds are Forever hitmaker said: “I asked how he was, and he said he was fine and said, “You look wonderful.”
“He wished me all the best and then I grabbed him – I know I shouldn’t have done that. But I grabbed both his hands and said, “I wish you well”.’
What are the rules around touching the royal family?
While a handshake, a hug or holding someone’s hand may seem like a tactile way of interacting with another person, it isn’t the first port of call when it comes to The Firm.
Although there is no law against doing this with a royal – unless the contact was intended to cause harm or danger – touching a member of the royal family when they haven’t initiated the contact is considered a breach of the rules.
While bowing or curtsying is still practiced today – Kate Middleton has been praised for her skills in this – it isn’t strictly necessary when you greet a member of the British royal family.
However, the website does say many people still ‘wish to observe the traditional forms’ and continue to do so.
It states: “The simple answer is that there are no obligatory codes of behavior – just courtesy.”
Adding: “For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.”
When it comes to other members, say Prince William or The Princess Royal, it’s the same situation.
It’s not her first time with royalty
Now, she didn’t need to be starstruck, as Dame Shirley Bassey has had her fair share of appointments with the royal family.
The first time she sang in front of the late Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance.
She later said after she got the first one out of the way, the anxiety subsided: “And then I did quite a few after and was very blasé about it.”
The singer has been a Dame since 1999, and previously said she was ‘truly humbled’ to receive the Companion of Honour.
She said: “Receiving the Order of the Companions of Honour is just one of the most wonderful feelings. Music has been a constant companion in my life.
“As a little girl growing up in Tiger Bay, I would dream of travelling the world and never imagined that one day my voice would take me to where I am now.
“Entertaining audiences for over 70 years has been a privilege. My heart is full of emotion, and I am truly humbled.”
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