covering shoulders

[mollykins]

What is it about females showing your shoulders that's so bad?

Apparantly you mustn't show them to the queen, plus at cadets, if we're in civies we either have to wear a long(ish) sleeved t-shirt or if wearing sometihng like a tank top, have a cardigan or jumper on top.

[ummmm]

So no female who has ever met the queen has worn a strappy dress?

[boxtops]

It can be seen as disrespectful - quite old-fashioned, but too much flesh showing can be indecent.

[Mamyalynne]

I would think the rule is largely for formal daytime events,at an evening function many a high class Lady and indeed Royal will wear off the shoulder attire.

[wildwood]

It is another one of those stiff old fashioned ladeeda 'rules' that is rarely adhered to except by disciplined organised attendants at official functions.

British Royalty is a tradition steeped in sometimes mysterious rules. Many will remember a couple of years ago when the Royalists screamed outrage and took offence at the Queen being gently touched on the back by the Australian Prime Minister as he guided Her through a function. Untitled people just don't touch H.R.H. Not so long ago Howie would have been beheaded for that.

[standian]

The rascal you mention was Paul Keating He knew what he was doing.Naughty digger !

[mollykins]

Wildwood, when the Obamas visits, Michelle hugged the queen!

[heathfield]

Yes, but that was woman to woman, Molly. Different if a man had done it. What would we have thought then, tut, tut!!
And if uncovered shoulders are not on, how come 99.99% of brides these days wear strapless wedding dresses? I feel sorry for them. Makes them all look the same, and many just don't suit them.

[boxtops]

Agree heathfield, wearing strapless tops in church would have been a no-no not so long ago!