Article content continued

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ball

But it was unusual that the Queen’s own representative failed to follow the drill in such a prominent situation, and for no reason other than his own concern that the Queen, 91, who does more events like these than any other person in the world, might fall down the steps of Canada House.

“I’m certainly conscious of the protocol,” Johnston told CBC News. “I was just anxious to be sure there was no stumbling on the steps. It’s a little bit awkward, that descent from Canada House to Trafalgar Square, and there was carpet that was a little slippy, and so I thought perhaps it was appropriate to breach protocol just to be sure that there was no stumble.”

The video does not entirely support this explanation. On the way in, she got out of the car without assistance, as Prince Philip stood by, apparently unconcerned about her balance or the tread of her shoes. She went up the steps just fine. And she did not appear to invite the assistance, although she did not obviously decline it, or react at all.

In fact, Johnston appears to have violated protocol twice at the same event, by extending his own hand for a handshake, rather than waiting for the Queen to extend hers.

The Queen is known for taking this sort of thing in stride, such as when Mickey Rooney kissed her hand. Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating got the nickname the Lizard of Oz for putting his hand on her back in 1992.

The website of the royal family says: “There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.” For men, this is a bow of the head, for women a small curtsy. Other traditional rules include not turning one’s back on her, and not speaking until spoken to. The Queen is also supposed to be the last person to enter a royal engagement, and the first to leave.