Sarah Jessica Parker Dips Into a Rare Curtsy (with a Bow for Good Measure!) as She Meets Queen Camilla
- - Sarah Jessica Parker Dips Into a Rare Curtsy (with a Bow for Good Measure!) as She Meets Queen Camilla
Stephanie PetitNovember 12, 2025 at 5:20 AM
0
Stefan Rousseau - Pool / Getty
Queen Camilla and Sarah Jessica Parker at Clarence House on Nov. 11, 2025 -
Sarah Jessica Parker dipped into a curtsy while meeting Queen Camilla
The actress told the royal, "Thank you for having us," at the reception for this year's Booker Prize competition
Parker also shook the Queen's hand, and either gesture follows protocol
Sarah Jessica Parker was perfectly prepped for her brush with royalty.
The actress met Queen Camilla on Tuesday, Nov. 11, during a reception at Clarence House, King Charles and his wife's residence in London. Parker, 60, was one of the judges for this year's Booker Prize competition, and the Queen, 78, hosted the reception for authors and supporters of the newly announced Children's Booker Prize.
To greet Queen Camilla, Parker bowed her head and dipped into a curtsy before shaking the royal's hand, as seen in a video shared to Instagram by royal reporter Rebecca English. "Thank you for having us," the And Just Like That... star said.
Camilla told her that judging the contest was "one of your many hats."
"And the one I'm most proud of," Parker replied. "It was thrilling, especially to be among this group, who are all extraordinary, smart and wise."
She added, "We had such riches to discuss, and we are surrounded by such wonderful, exciting authors."
Stefan Rousseau - Pool / Getty
Queen Camilla and Sarah Jessica Parker at Clarence House on Nov. 11, 2025
Bowing or curtsying is a voluntary gesture of respect when meeting a member of the royal family; however, it's not a requirement.
"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," according to the royal family's website, which has yet to be fully following the 2022 death of Queen Elizabeth.
"For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy," it continues. "Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way."
Stefan Rousseau - Pool / Getty
Sarah Jessica Parker and Queen Camilla at Clarence House on Nov. 11, 2025
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
When an American meets a royal, they technically do not have to curtsy or bow because it's not a custom, Myka Meier, an etiquette expert and the author of the book Modern Etiquette Made Easy, previously told PEOPLE.
"That being said, many Americans still choose to observe a traditional British greeting of a bow or curtsy," she says. "Either option is fine and deemed appropriate."
Even members of the royal family will be seen doing a bow or curtsy when greeting a more senior royal. Even Prince William bows to his father, King Charles!
JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty
Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla with veterans at Windsor Castle on Nov. 11, 2025
In addition to the Clarence House reception, Queen Camilla had another royal duty on Tuesday. She joined King Charles and Prince William in hosting a Windsor Castle reception for veterans as part of the royal family's Armistice Day commemorations.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
