I read the original article at DailyMail a couple of days ago. It said nothng about the Queen “ordering” her.
The Royal Family takes its duties seriously, calling itself “the Firm.” I’m sure they have all kinds of dress guidelines for various stages of life. Now that Kate is a mother, the short skirts have to go, but I seriously doubt Kate needed to be “ordered” — she is not a rebel like Fergie or Camilla.
British women subjects are also required to wear stockings and closed-toe shoes for an audience with the Queen. This is a requirement of many American corporations, as well. Noted that Michelle Obama, when she met the Queen, went with the bare-leg Hollywood look and also broke protocol by trying to hug the Queen, whose manners were too impeccable to show disapproval publicly.
I remember gasping when I saw that. In my mind, Michelle Obama wasn't ignorant of proper protocol, it was that she viewed herself as an equal to the Queen.
There is no doubt in my mind that Moochelle was educated on proper protocol before meeting the Queen. She chose to deliberately disregard it to make a point, trash that she is.
As for Kate, I understand that her style has to change somewhat now that she is a mother, but I hope she won’t end up looking too matronly (tiaras-—ugh). Either way, though, she’ll be a refreshing change from the slobs I see in everyday life, with their tats and flip-flops and fat rolls hanging out.
As for the thread being news...the guys have their girlie threads, which is fine. We ladies enjoy a little fun commentary on fashion, etc.
I seem to be unusual in America, but I object to those who think we should address foreigners by their titles or deferential forms of address.
For instance, I don't think a duke should be addressed by an American, in America, as "Your Grace."
I'm an American, and I don't recognize titles of nobility.
If I ever go to UK, in politeness I will attempt, no doubt ineptly, to follow the local customs in such matters. But then I expect foreigners, in politeness, to accept American customs when they come here.
I make exceptions for foreign heads of state, such as the Queen, when visiting America. But that's a nod to the sovereignty of her nation, not to her as a person.
I get seriously torked when commenters on the NRO website routinely refer to Conrad Black as Lord Black.