Governor-general breaches royal protocol to avoid a stumble
CANADA’S governor-general has explained why he breached royal protocol around touching the Queen, saying that he wanted to make sure she did not slip during an official engagement.
David Johnston was spotted supporting the 91-year-old by gently touching her elbow as she climbed the steps at Canada House in London on Wednesday.
He did the same thing as she left the building, which she visited with the Duke of Edinburgh in honour of the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Con- federation. Speaking afterwards, he told Canada’s CBC News: “It’s a little bit awkward, that descent from Canada House to Trafalgar Square, and there was a carpet that was a little slippy, and so I thought perhaps it was appropriate to breach protocol just to be sure that there was no stumble.”
In its advice on how to greet a member of the Royal family, Buckingham Palace’s website says that there are “no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the Queen or a member of the Royal family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms”.
While touching the monarch, beyond a handshake, is not explicitly mentioned, it is generally accepted that members of the public do not do so.
Buckingham Palace said it had no concern over the governor-general’s decision to lend the Queen his hand in support. An aide said: “There’s no issue here. It was a simple human gesture”.