You can’t walk backwards!

Courtiers walk backwards during the state opening of Parliament

The centuries old tradition of walking backwards after seeing the British monarch has become the latest victim of health and safety regulations.

The royal protocol, which is meant as a sign of respect for the Queen, has been dropped in most circumstances amid fears it could lead to someone injuring themselves by bumping into something or toppling over.

With concerns that this could result in someone suing Buckingham Palace, just two senior royal aides are now expected to regularly walk backwards as they leave the Queen’s presence.

Other courtiers and royal visitors are allowed to turn their backs on her as they exit without any fear of causing any offence.

The tradition of walking backwards when leaving the sovereign is believed to date back to medieval times.

It was regarded as offensive for a courtier to turn his back on the king or queen, meaning for centuries those close to the monarch had to learn to take steps in reverse.

The English crown was not alone in demanding this exaggerated show of respect.

Ethiopian emperors also insisted that their subjects, regardless of rank, exited backwards, bowing as they went.

Aztec Kings also made their underlings walked away backwards when they had finished addressing them.

Patrick Cracroft-Brennan from the Heraldry Society said in England the tradition was more rigorously enforced after the Stuarts came to power in the 17th century.

He said: ‘They emphasised that kings had been granted their positions by divine right and were believers in absolute monarchy, so things like walking backwards would have been very important to them.’

The tradition began to fade out during the 19th century but was reinvigorated at  the turn of the last century after the succession of Edward VII.

He introduced the elaborate ritual for the state opening of parliament which is still used today, including Black Rod knocking on doors and the practice of courtiers walking backwards.

But Mr Cracroft-Brennan said it was a tradition that was doomed in the modern age.

‘The present Queen has always hinted that she’s not particularly fussed by it,’ he said.

‘I think she takes the view that it’s far better for someone to walk normally than to fall over.’

Tagged with: Aztec Kings • Black Rod • Buckingham Palace • courtiers • English crown • Ethiopian emperors • health and safety regulations • Heraldry Society • old tradition • Queen • suing

Filed under: Family • Health • Responsibility

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