Royal observers are divided over a video showing Queen Camilla appearing to pull back from another prominent figure at a recent public event.
During a D-Day memorial service in Normandy last week, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron were seen together laying a wreath. As they parted ways, Mrs. Macron extended her hand towards the Queen.
However, Queen Camilla seemed to hesitate from accepting Mrs. Macron's gesture, leading to speculation that she declined the handshake possibly due to concerns about breaching royal protocol.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reactions to the incident varied among royal fans. One user criticized the Queen, stating, "Camilla should have warmly held her hand and used the opportunity to modernize the Royal family."
Another took a different stance, commenting, "If a stranger tried to hold my hand at work, I would find it inappropriate. The Queen acted with more decorum than most."
A contrasting viewpoint emerged, with a user arguing, "Brigitte Macron is the wife of the President of France, not a stranger. It could have been a gesture of warmth and diplomacy between nations."
Acknowledging the awkwardness, another user remarked, "It was an odd moment, but Camilla could have gracefully accepted the gesture. A minor misstep in the grand scheme of things."
Defenders of the Queen pointed out, "Whether royal or not, no one should feel compelled to hold hands at a formal event. This should be accepted maturely."
The incident has sparked debate about diplomatic etiquette and the role of modernizing royal traditions in contemporary settings.
