Why Duchess Meghan has to curtsy to the Duchess of Cambridge

The Duchess of Sussex has a lot to catch up on regarding the royal family, not the least of which is the order of precedence for royal curtsey.

An article from the royal expert Christopher Wilson on DailyMail opened up about the current royal protocol that Markle has to follow in terms of whom she should or should not curtsey.

The article informed that the current rules for the curtsey were first jotted down in 2005 by the Queen's private secretary to clarify Camilla's position in the royal hierarchy. The document was titled, 'Precedence Of The Royal Family To Be Observed At Court.'

Following her wedding with Prince Harry, Markle is expected to follow the same rules regarding the royal curtsey.

Besides the Queen, Markle is always expected to curtsey to her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, according to Wilson.

However, she must only sometimes curtsey to the Countess of Wessex, Sophie, who has been a royal since 1999.

The royal expert explained that Markle would have to curtsey to Sophie only in the presence of Prince Edward because the presence of husband 'validates' Sophie's royal status.

Similarly, Markle must curtsey to Prince Anne as well as Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, all of whom are the daughter of the Sovereign. However, if Harry is present with her then it is the Princesses, who should curtsey to her.

Markle also mustn't curtsey to Zara Phillips, the daughter of Princess Anne, because she will always be below in hierarchy despite being of royal blood.

Wilson further informed that the rules regarding the precedence for curtseying were updated in 2012 to include the position of Middleton, who was also born a commoner.

The rules place her behind Princess Anne, Alexandra, Beatrice, and Eugenie in the order of precedence. However, in the presence of Prince Williams, she need not curtsey to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.