Bow and scrape

To add to her troubles the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, is being criticised for being unable to curtsey in the prescribed manner when greeting a member of the Royal Family (Scotsman, 10 August).

In these days of gender equality why are there still genderspecific methods of showing deference? Indeed why should an elected prime minister have to show deference at all to an unelected head of state, by bowing or curtsying?

BENEDICT BATE

South Clerk Street, Edinburgh