Joaquin Phoenix caused a stir with his BAFTAs appearance – but it’s not his win or powerful speech that has people talking.
The Hollywood star, 45, curtsied heavily to the Duke of Cambridge as they met following the show.
Attempting to use royal protocol, the actor awkwardly curtsied Prince William, 37, who can be heard saying: ‘Lovely to meet you’.
Unfortunately for the Oscar winner, men are only required to give a small head bow whilst women perform a curtsy when meeting royalty.
But as the star and royal chatted alongside fellow award winner Taika Waititi, it became clear that His Royal Highness is a huge fan of Joaquin’s work.
‘I absolutely loved The Joker. It was brilliant,’ praised the Prince.
I’m a fan of your work! Joaquin Phoenix appeared to be star-struck when Prince William came over to congratulate him
Formalities: Attempting to use royal protocol, the actor, 45, awkwardly curtsied to the Duke of Cambridge who can be heard saying: ‘Lovely to meet you’
‘I put it off and put it off watching it, as people kept telling me “be careful when you choose to watch it”, but when I did it blew my mind, it was really good.’
Prince William and Joaquin also shared a similar message in their speeches at the Royal Albert Hall event, addressing the clear lack of diversity in the acting and directing categories.
Appearing downcast as he took to the stage to receive his award, the star said: ‘I feel very honoured and privileged to be here tonight. BAFTAs have always been very supportive of my career and I’m deeply appreciative.
Admirer: As the star and royal chatted alongside fellow award winner Taika Waititi, it became clear that His Royal Highness is a huge fan of Joaquin’s work.
Conflicted: Prince William and Joaquin also shared a similar message in their speeches at the Royal Albert Hall event, addressing the clear lack of diversity in the acting and directing categories
‘But I hate to say I also feel conflicted, because so many of my fellow actors don’t have that same privilege. I think we send a very clear message to people of colour that you’re not welcome here.
‘I think that’s the message we have contributed so much to our medium and our industry. I don’t think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, this is not a self-righteous condemnation.
‘I have not done everything in my power to ensure the stuff that I worked on are inclusive. We have to do the hard to work to truly understand systemic racism.
Speech: Appearing downcast as he took to the stage to receive his award, the star said: ‘I feel very honoured and privileged to be here tonight
‘I think that it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuated and benefited from the system of oppression that dismantle it, and that’s on us. Thank you.’
The actor also made a statement of a personal nature at the prestigious awards ceremony, when he arrived wearing his recycled Stella McCartney tuxedo.
He cut a dapper figure as he hit the red carpet in his black ensemble of choice, which was teamed with a crisp white shirt bow tie, after vowing to re-wear his suit to all awards shows as part of his eco-friendly message.
Hollywood actor Joaquin has been the driving force between the 2020 awards season’s green initiative.
Award winner: The screen star received his trophy from award-winning actress Olivia Colman
Problems: ‘But I hate to say I also feel conflicted, because so many of my fellow actors don’t have that same privilege. I think we send a very clear message to people of colour that you’re not welcome here’
According to Variety the actor pushed the Hollywood Foreign Press, who are behind the Golden Globes, to opt for a meat- and dairy-less meal at this month’s ceremony.
He used his acceptance speech for the Best Actor gong to praise the move, telling the crowd: ‘I would like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press for recognising and acknowledging the link between animal agriculture and climate change.
‘It’s a very bold move, making tonight plant-based.’
Joaquin proved that he was dedicated to the cause, as he left last month’s SAG Awards festivities early to attend a vigil for pigs at an Los Angeles slaughterhouse.
Etiquette behind the ‘perfect’ curtsey (and technically Joaquin did nothing wrong!)
Extracted from a previous interview with etiquette expert Jean Broke Smith and Adam Partridge, spokesman for the Debretts A To Z Of Modern Manners, with the Daily Mail.
HOW TO GREET A ROYAL
‘Members of the public are not bound to the traditions and protocols of the Royal Family, although they can choose to curtsey if they wish,’ says Adam. ‘The Queen herself has said she does not expect people to curtsey, and Buckingham Palace reflects this in its protocol advice.’
However many people choose to show deference to the royals with their greeting. Women typically curtsey while men bow their heads forwards. However there is no rules stating men cannot curtsey.
‘If you’re meeting the Queen, she will always put her hand out to you and that is your cue to curtsey,’ says Jean Broke Smith.
‘You should not look at her as you curtsey but keep your eyes lowered. Only as you come back up should you meet her eyes and if she is offering you her hand you can shake it. Otherwise, keep you hands to yourself.’
Other members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are less formal than the Queen.
The rules are the same for foreigners like Joaquin Phoenix as for Brits. It is up to the individual as to whether they curtsey or not.
When former First Lady Michelle Obama met the Queen, she gave a small curtsey. Not so Melania Trump, however, during her visit in 2018.
THE HISTORY OF THE CURTSEY
The curtsey is a traditional gesture of greeting by a girl or a woman to someone more senior in social rank and dates back to at least the Middle Ages.
It is derived from a ‘courtesy’ and is simply a mark of respect. It became gender specific in the 17th century, with men adopting the bow, and women the curtsey.
It really took off in Victorian times. Women’s dresses were so large that a little bob would hardly have been noticeable. Instead, women began to curtsey with more depth. Later, when Edwardian dress came in, some women started holding up the material of their skirts or dresses as part of the curtsey.
HOW TO DO IT…
‘A curtsey should be a discreet, brief movement and not a ballet plie, or a grand, sweeping descent to the ground,’ says Adam Partridge.
‘From a standing position, transfer your weight to one foot (usually the left). Place the ball of your other foot behind and slightly to the outside of your standing ankle.
Bend your front knee while keeping your torso upright and your hands relaxed at your sides. There is no need to hold your skirt or dress.
To come up, slowly straighten your knees, bringing your feet back into a parallel position. The whole motion should take a few seconds.’
INCH PERFECT
Changing fashions have affected the curtsey (long skirts facilitated a deep plunge, while shorter hem-lines require a more modest dip) and now, we see everything from deep, deferential curtsey to the slight, barely-see-it bob.
‘There’s no rule as to how many inches from the ground you must go — it depends on how flexible you are and how good you are with your core strength and balance,’ says Jean.