A tweeted picture of Prime Minister Theresa May curtseying to the duke of Cambridge was labelled “embarrassing” by the American journalist Glenn Greenwald, bringing forth a debate on the absurdity of the monarchy.

What more could you want for your birthday? Rather than kicking back with a beer and the World Cup, Prince William, who turns 36 today, is spending it on royal duties with none other than Prime Minister Theresa May.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, meets the His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William. How adult human beings continue to indulge all this with a straight face is truly baffling. And embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/BIL5WuObNH — Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) June 22, 2018

Meeting outside a rehabilitation center for injured service personnel, the prime minister, ranked the eighth most powerful by Forbes magazine, dipped low in her heels to curtsey to the future monarch as if she was a feudal serf.

The customary bow has been ridiculed online, with The Intercept’s Greenwald calling it “baffling” and “embarrassing” that “adult human beings continue to indulge all this with a straight face.”

Coming to the monarchy’s defense, one Twitter user called Greenwald “jealous,” pointing out that the royal family earn us a “gabillion quid net each year,” and that “countries with Monarchies are oddly more democratic with those without.”

Unconvinced, Greenwald replied sarcastically that he had “always wanted so badly to have monarchs that I could bow to,” calling the UK “one of the most authoritarian in the West.”

Yes, I've always wanted so badly to have monarchs that I could bow to, and am bitter than you get to. Also, I've written and reported a lot on the UK Government and it's one of the most authoritarian in the west. — Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) June 22, 2018

Others called it “normal” to show some “basic chivalry,” respect we reserve for the elderly and children.

However, the consensus seems to think Brits have moved on from such monarchist hangups. Questioning if the royal family is earning its keep, one asked what was the need for all the “bowing & scraping,” when the taxpayers are left paying for royal weddings and fixing the roof at Buckingham Palace.

They don’t earn it for us. If they’re earning more than they cost, why did the public have to pay for both the Royal Wedding & the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace while still bowing & scraping? — Martin Larner (@MartinLarner) June 22, 2018

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