At the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer attracted attention after touching Queen Camilla to offer her a water bottle, a move seen as a breach of strict royal etiquette governing physical contact.
During a recent event commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, found himself at the centre of attention for an interaction with Queen Camilla that has raised eyebrows regarding royal protocol. The event took place at a military parade in central London, where various dignitaries, including King Charles III, were in attendance to mark this significant historical occasion.
Footage from the service captured the moment when Queen Camilla appeared to be searching for a water bottle while seated next to King Charles. Observing her predicament, Sir Keir Starmer noticed the Queen’s search and, in an apparent attempt to assist, tapped her lightly on the arm to draw her attention. Following this, he reached down by her seat, retrieved the bottle, and handed it to her.
While the gesture was likely intended to be considerate, it inadvertently breached established royal protocol, which stipulates that individuals should not initiate physical contact with members of the Royal Family unless they do so first, typically through a handshake. This protocol serves to maintain a certain formality and respect in interactions involving the monarchy.
The incident highlights the sometimes-complex customs surrounding engagements with royal figures and the potential missteps that can occur, even when actions are motivated by a desire to assist.
As the story unfolds, updates, pictures, and video from the event are expected to emerge, offering further insights into this noteworthy occasion and the interactions between key figures.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative references the 80th anniversary of VE Day (commemorated in 2025, aligning with the event’s 1945 origin). While no specific publication date is provided, the event’s timing and lack of recycled phrasing suggest moderate freshness. No press release elements detected.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
No direct quotes are present in the narrative. Descriptions of interactions are observational (e.g., 'tapped her lightly on the arm'), derived from footage rather than attributed statements.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The narrative originates from Express.co.uk, a UK tabloid with a mixed reputation for factual reporting. While it describes a public event, independent verification from higher-reliability sources (e.g., BBC, Reuters) is absent.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Royal protocol regarding physical contact is well-documented. The described gesture aligns with known etiquette rules, though specific details (e.g., the water bottle incident) lack corroborating evidence. The plausibility of protocol missteps is credible given historical precedents.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative’s core claim about a protocol breach is plausible given established royal customs, but reliability concerns regarding the Express and lack of direct evidence (quotes, corroborating sources) limit definitive verification. Further confirmation from reputable outlets is recommended.
