Queen Elizabeth has a strict table rule when she dines with the royals, including children. Gyles Brandreth spoke about the royal family and their table manners in her recent interview.
Queen Elizabeth Reportedly Forbids Children From Using Phones During Mealtimes
Brandreth spoke with ITV's This Morning Thursday, where he shared some details about the royal family's dining practices. According to him, he looks up to the Queen in everything.
"The Queen is my role model in all things," he said, Express reported. "One of the things she won’t allow at the table with her grandchildren and indeed her great-grandchildren is mobile phones at mealtimes."
Prince William and Kate Middleton's children, Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, might not struggle with the rule. According to several reports, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge do not allow their kids to use iPads.
“Neither like the idea of putting an iPad on in front of the kids,” the source told Us Weekly. “As two people who grew up without gadgets for entertainment, they’re firm believers in toys, outdoor play and encouraging an active imagination."
He continued, "She likes a formal, and I too like a fairly formal meal. It doesn't mean to say you have to have a napkin."
Brandreth added that when dining with the Queen, one has to sit at the table nicely and "mustn't eat with your mouth open."
Queen Elizabeth And Royal Protocol When Dining
Etiquette expert William Hanson also shared the royalty protocol that the members of the firm practice. According to him, they are particular when it comes to handling and positioning cutlery. For instance, the index finger should go down the fork and stop before the bridge. For knives, the index finger should extend down the knife, stopping where the blade and handle meet.
"The cutlery is placed together in such a finished position to alert the staff (and other diners) that you have finished so they can clear your plate without having to ask whether you are finished or not," Hanson told Express.co.uk. "It always amazes me when in supposedly good restaurants, when there is no scrap of food left on the plate and your cutlery is together in the internationally recognised finished position, servers still ask, ‘are you finished?’"
The royals who enjoy tea with the Queen from time to time are also particular when it comes to holding their teacups. Apparently, they have to do things right. The expert also denied the outrageous reports about their practices, like sticking a finger when holding a teacup.
"Members of the Royal Family usually hold the teacup pinching their thumb and index finger between the handle, with their other fingers following the shape of the handle for support," Hanson explained. "It is not, contrary to popular belief, sophisticated to stick the little finger out when drinking tea or coffee."
Stay tuned for more news and updates about the royal family.