I should have added that Tony Abbott forgot and pumped the Queen's arm up and down in a handshake more suited to a visiting rugby captain

+++

Would we expect much more from him

The queen is a person, a human being who was born into a family, same as most of us.

She is not a diety.Who cares whether some want to idolise her, let them , but I see no reason why we should treat her any differently than any other human.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a lady to her fingertips and I personally admire her greatly. But this does not mean that anyone need to bow and scrape to another individual. The days of slavery are well and truly behind us. While it is true that LEGALLY the Monarch is Queen of Australia and Royal Protocol required our Prime Minister to curtsy, IF anything at all, she is only guilty of not following this protocol. As humans, Our Prime Minister Julia showed Her Majesty what a decent human being she is, by being courteous, friendly and a true Australian in the manner in which she conducted herself.  

Why all the fuss about Julia not curtsing!  The media here have a field day with all these so called experts on TV Radio.  Why should she curtsy.  We live in the 21st century.  Keating, Hawke and Howard didn't curtsy!!!  A warm welcome, respect is all that is needed.  The Queen is not a head of state only a hedritary title.  I admire the Queen....she's the glue that keeps The Firm together.  You know even in England they can't believe all the fuss over this.  It's respectful to shake the Queen's hand, bow the head etc NOT CURTSY.  I'm sure she must have good laugh over all this.  Even so I think she should cut the curtsy out even in England....it is not respectful (for women as men don't have to do it...why not...even saluting is better) it's subservient in this day and age.  Please let us grow up as a nation and be warm and welcoming as Aussies.  I agree with peterbturner and others.   And our lovely GG .....yes she doesn't get the crap that's thrown at Julia being a woman......because she doesn't have to say anything that is going to make waves!

Davey, As you are no doubt from the old dart you are not stupid, not like those other poms who sent our ancestors out here as convicts. If they were bright, they would have made the journey here and left the convicts there..

-- 

LOL at that--but how bloody true LOL!

I think the bottom line is respect and a warm Aussie welcome and as far as I can see, Julia has done this in spades.

Queen Elizabeth is Australia's Head of State and Julia Gillard is Australia's Prime Minister and therefore Head of the Government.  I think a handshake is totally appropriate.   Curtseys are far too deferential in this day and age unless it is a ballerina curtseying to the audience.   

Lizzy , the first entry is totally right....men don't curtesy...it looks silly & i haven't

curtesied since i was 4 years old....i am now over 70 but i live in the 21th century &

i like to live a modern live as much as possible...

a warm 'hallo' to all the grown up 'no-sayers'

brigid

I am not a monarchist.  I cannot abide deliberate impoliteness to a distinguished visitor, particularly one who has achieved so much in her life and given such devoted public service.  You'd think that a feminist would be the first to recognise that, but apparently not!  Why score an own goal during the visit arranged expressly to boost Julia's popularity ratings?  Why is implementation  always a problem?

No-one has yet answered the question posed, which is quite simply, if the etiquette is antiquated or cringing, why did Julia Gillard bow at all?  Likewise if she was expressing her republican sentiment, why bow?  Better still, why choose to rub the Queen's nose in it after inviting her for what is very likely her last visit?  Julia's ego trumps politeness and good sense?

The curtsey has become a nicely executed respectful bob, as was ably demonstrated by the Governor-General Quentin Bryce.  Noticeably, men and previous male have no trouble in showing politeness.

Why choose the male version of the etiquette?  What is so different between the brief bob of a curtsey and a bow, except to a radical feminist?

The sentence in the second last para above should have read, "Noticeably, men and previous Labor leaders (men) have experienced no trouble in showing politeness through correct etiquette." 

Well said Nautilus. :)

Well said Lizzy1 - spot on.