Denzel Washington experienced an awkward moment when he met King Charles III at the “Gladiator II” premiere in London on Wednesday. The 69-year-old actor, known for his role in “Equalizer 3,” attended the event alongside co-stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, director Sir Ridley Scott, and King Charles. As customary for royal premieres, the film’s cast lined up on the red carpet to greet the monarch before entering the theater. When Washington was introduced to King Charles, 75, after conversing with Scott, 86, and Mescal, 28, the “Training Day” star seemed uneasy and expressed his uncertainty about how to greet the King. Charles, sensing Washington’s discomfort, extended his hand for a handshake, which Washington gratefully accepted.
“I didn’t know if I was supposed to grab your hand or not,” Washington said with a smile as they shook hands. Charles then inquired about Washington’s role in “Gladiator II,” the villainous Macrinus. “I’m, just an awful … I’m a lovely man you’ll see,” Washington replied sarcastically. “I’m a lovely chap.” The King, acknowledging Washington’s extensive filmography, said, “You’ve been in so many films, it’s fantastic.” Washington responded with gratitude, “Thank you, thank you.”
Those scheduled to meet members of the royal family usually receive instructions on how to greet them, as Billy Eichner recounted in 2019. During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” following his attendance at the premiere of Jon Favreau’s “The Lion King,” Eichner disclosed that he received an email from the royal household outlining the protocol for meeting royal family members. “In the days leading up to [the premiere] they email you a protocol,” Eichner told Kimmel. “And [the royal family] are very intense about it! I’m not kidding!” he added. “You’re supposed to say, ‘Your Royal Highness,’ you can’t speak until your hands are in like a handshake,” he continued, admitting he was “very nervous” about meeting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were at the premiere.
The royal family’s website offers some guidance on greeting members of the Firm. According to the site, there are no mandatory rules. “There are no obligatory codes of behaviour” when meeting a royal, the website states. “But many people wish to observe the traditional forms.” “For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy.” The site also notes that, “other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.” Regarding addressing royals, one should call the King, “Your Majesty” at the start of any conversation and subsequently address him as, “Sir.” The royal family’s website does not explicitly mention touching a royal, but it is generally considered inappropriate unless the royal initiates physical contact. “Really it comes down to don’t touch a royal,” royal expert Victoria Arbiter has explained. “I’m sure there’s lots of security reasons associated with it, but it’s just not befitting of their position.”
Washington is not the only celebrity to have had an awkward encounter with the Windsors. Earlier this year, French First Lady Brigitte Macron attempted to hold Queen Camilla’s hand at a D-Day commemoration ceremony but withdrew the gesture when Camilla did not respond. Former US First Lady Michelle Obama also made headlines when she placed her arm around the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2009. Although the Queen’s longtime confidant and dresser Angela Kelly later revealed that there was nothing improper about Obama’s action, writing in her memoir that “really there is no protocol that must be adhered to.”
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