Is the nod still relevant today? Amalia thinks so!
During the press interview after the photo moment last week, one special question for our Crown Princess set tongues wagging. Because that nod from Princess Amalia, is it still relevant today?
Genuflection
A nod, a curtsy, a genuflection – call it whatever you want. This bow, made by female royals to those higher up in the Aristo hierarchy, has been a long-standing tradition.
These are the words of Debrett’s, society bible since 1769: “From a standing position, you put your weight on one foot (usually the left). Place the ball of your other foot backwards, diagonally to the right of your supporting leg. Back straight, maintain eye contact. Bend the left leg slightly at the knee, keeping your torso straight. Then stand up straight again with your feet parallel to each other.” You may incline your head briefly during the downward movement, but it is not necessary. The entire nod only takes a few seconds, but if your right leg is on your supporting leg, you can also do it the other way around.
So that’s how it goes. We’ve seen a lot of successful (and less successful) nods over the years. We recently saw a good example, thanks to our own Princess Amalia.
During the performance, she impressed with a neat genuflection for the Spanish royal couple – and that on big stiletto heels!
Of this time
Anyway, such a knee bend on your stilettos, which is only expected from women… is that actually still relevant today? During last Friday’s press interview, one of the journalists present decided to question the Crown Princess about the old custom. “It is a tradition, but also a real gesture of respect, and I adhere to that,” said the princess. “And I also did that as a gesture of respect to the Spanish royal couple,” she added.
Although that may seem clear enough, Amalia, as a modern young royal, was still asked whether the custom was still ‘of this time’. “I think showing respect is still contemporary,” said the Princess of Orange. And that’s it. The curtsy is here to stay!
Source: Vorsten, All Things Amalia, Glamial archive | Image: NL Image
