1. 不要碰女王陛下
1. Don't touch Her Maj.
这一规矩起源于中世纪时期,历史学家凯特?威廉姆斯说,“王室是受了上帝的神圣指派来统治(世界)的,因此,他们从某种程度上就被看做上帝。”
This rule dates back to Medieval times, when, as historian Kate Williams puts it, "monarchs were divinely appointed to rule by God, so they were kind of seen as gods, so they demanded to be treated as gods."
2. 见女王不要两手空空
2. Don't show up empty handed
对于已经什么都不会缺的女王来说,你需要送点什么呢?E! Online报道称,虽然女王拥有许许多多无价的饰品,但是见女王还是必须得带礼物。
What do you get the woman who already has everything? Sure, the Queen has several homes full of priceless trinkets, but bringing a gift is a must, E! Online reports.
礼物必须适合见面的场合。如果女王来参观你的家乡或国家,你用代表当地文化的东西作为礼物比W.H. Smith的优惠券合适多了。
This gift must also be appropriate to the occasion. So if she's paying a visit to your hometown or country, something which reflects local culture might go down better than W.H. Smith's vouchers.
3. 立正
3. Stand to attention
可能你的脚已经站到肿痛,但是女王入场时必须得起身。
You may be dead on your heavily-bunioned feet - but you should always stand when the Queen enters the room.
当女王入座时你才可以坐下,所以仔细留意女王是否就座。
You may only sit once she's nice and comfy, so keep a close eye on when the Queen sits down herself.
4. 不要只是杵在那玩大拇指
4. Don't just twiddle your thumbs
当女王径直走向你,或者你站在见女王的队列中时,鞠躬或行屈膝礼非常重要(行什么礼取决于你是男是女)。
When the Queen is making a beeline for you, or when you're next in the line to meet her, it's important you either bow or curtsy (depending on whether you're a woman or a man).
5. 不要忽视穿衣规范
5. Don't ignore the dress code
不管已经迟了多久,也不管你对自己的连体衣和斗篷多执着,一定确保见女王时着装得体。
Regardless of how late you're running or how tempting it is to stay in your onesie and slanket combo, make sure you dress accordingly when meeting HRH.
如果宴会要求戴黑领带,那么就戴黑领带。
If the event is black tie, wear black tie.
6. 不要直呼女王的名字
6. Resist the temptation to refer to her by her first name
千万千万不要提起绰号
Or, heaven forbid, by a NICKNAME.
虽然我们非常熟悉王室成员,也给各个王室成员起了绰号,但我们这些平民还是不可以直呼王室成员的名字。
While the Royal family may be extremely familiar to us, and while we may have our own nicknames for them, us common folk still aren't on a first name basis with them.
所以当你见女王时,你需要称呼她“女王陛下”,然后可以称呼“夫人”。
So, when you first meet the Queen she should be addressed as "Your Majesty" and "Ma'am" consequently after.
但当女王离开时,你必须再次称呼她“女王陛下”。
When she leaves, however, you must address her as "Your Majesty" once again.
7. 女王对你讲话你才可以开口
7. Only speak if the Queen speaks to you
你记得小时候大人总会对你说“别人没和你说话前不要讲话”,“大人在说话,小孩别插嘴”这样的话吗?
Remember when you were a small child and all your elders would drop wisdom such as "don't speak unless spoken to first" and "children should be seen and not heard"?
见女王时也要这样。
The same applies to meeting the Queen.
这个规矩使得女王陛下能够掌控谈话——包括迅速结束谈话。
This rule exists so Her Royal Highness can control every aspect of the conversation - including exiting it swiftly.
8. 女王吃你再吃
8. Don't eat before she does
在宴会上不管你面前的食物看起来多美味诱人,你都得等女王开始吃你才可以吃。
No matter how tasty and tempting the banquet morsels spread in front you look, you can only start eating once the Queen does.
所以最好在宴会前吃点小点心,以防宴会上的发言时间太久。
So perhaps have a quick snack beforehand, in case any speeches go on for a long time.
还有,如果女王吃完了,最好你也吃好了。
Oh, and if she has finished eating, you better be full too.