Ettiquette Question.

[david21]

Is there an army/forces regiment that is allowed to sit in the presence of the queen.
seem to remember seeing something about this years ago,poss' QI.

[boxtops]

Yep, Royal Navy according to this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyal_toast

[david21]

that was quick......thanks boxtops....thought I was imagining it.

[pixie373]

Mounted police? Lol

[Prudie]

Although the toast is not necessarily in the presence of the queen just protocol at regimental dinners etc.

[jake-the-peg]

//In the United Kingdom and elsewhere, it is acceptable practice to remain seated for the Loyal Toast if one commits to republican principles.//

Perhaps the Navy are republicans

[Peter Pedant]

Yeah the Navy sits because of the danger of falling over if they stand (as a result of the swell of course)

The republican principles bit causes quite a lot of offence after a boozy dinner. I asked one sitter if the Emperor of Japan were here, you would stand wouldnt you ? and then, if I were in France and I didnt stand for M. le president de la republic because I was a monarchist - I would get garotted wouldnt I ? and he said yes (but they didnt stand)

[jake-the-peg]

There's a couple of significant differences there Peter isn't there?

Firstly you'd be a guest in those countries

Secondly the President of France is elected and the emperor of Japan is a ceremonial role with no sovereignty

So from a republican's perspective there's no issue there although I imagine some might object to standing for the emperor of Japan

[atalanta]

At sea, navy men couldn't stand up because the decks were so close together that there wasn't room.

[hessian]

Until recently (unless it has been lost in a merger) one regimental band assembled to play the Russian Imperial Anthem each morning.