Queen Camilla Slammed For Awkward D-Day Memorial Moment With Brigitte Macron: 'All Protocol, Zero Humanity'
Queen Camilla and France's first lady Brigitte Macron had an awkward faux pas at the D-Day memorial in Normandy.
In a video shared on X, formerly Twitter, King Charles' wife and French President Emmanuel Macron's spouse laid wreaths at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer. After placing the wreaths, Brigitte reached out to hold hands with Queen Camilla, but the latter did not reciprocate the gesture and kept her arm at her side. Brigitte briefly grasped Camilla's hand before stepping to the side and folding her arms in front.
They stood silent for a moment before Camilla turned toward her companion, seemingly gesturing to her, without touching Brigitte, that it was time for them to reunite with their husbands, King Charles and President Macron, who were standing a few feet behind them.
The viral video has already gained nearly 2 million views as of this writing. It also received several responses, with many finding the interaction between the two women "awkward." Many also slammed Camilla for allegedly being cold.
I always understood you didn't touch Royals. They seem to be getting away from so much stiffness, but hand holding is odd.
— Nina 🌲🇺🇲 (@ChrisNinaHunt) June 7, 2024
"Camilla is one cold hearted broad. Lol. Ice Queen," one wrote.
"Showing a kind gesture of togetherness, how very dare she? That's the royals -- all protocol, zero humanity," a second person commented.
Another added, "Protocol sometimes gets in the way of humanity."
"Given the nature of the event where allies came together to show unity in the face of facism [sic], you'd have thought that Camilla could have held another human's hand," a fourth person opined.
"Camilla's attitude is what's wrong with the @RoyalFamily old, archaic and out of touch. Not meeting the moment!" a fifth commenter remarked.
"Awesome. France wanting to show unity and UK showing the cold shoulder. These Monarchs, honestly, they do nothing for the UK. Nothing," another user said.
Meanwhile, several also rallied to support Camilla. For them, her reaction was not a big deal because they believed touching was against royal protocol, and Brigitte crossed Camilla's personal space.
"You never touch the Queen," one commented.
Another wrote, "Personal space. Why would she try and hold her hand to walk a few steps backward?"
"I loved it! Well done by the Queen," a royal supporter added.
A fourth person added, "I love Camilla."
"[Why touch] people we barely know without an invitation? IDC who it is," a different user said.
"I'm not a royal, but I don't want another female, who I hardly know, grabbing my hand," another person opined.
Interaction with royals has been a subject of debate for years. Although there were various speculations on how to interact with them, the royal family's website, which hasn't been updated since Queen Elizabeth's death in September 2022, stated, "There are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting The Queen or a member of the royal family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms."
"For men, this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way."
