The ‘Palace’ announced in August 2009 that the tradition of walking backwards when leaving the presence of the Queen is being consigned to the history books. A breath of fresh 21st-century air blowing through the monarchy at last? Let’s look at this story more closely:-

In olden times   Walking backwards in the presence of monarchs is believed to have started in medieval times i.e. the age of absolute monarchs, the divine right of kings etc. The practice was favoured by such progressive societies as the Aztecs - who were very big on human sacrifice. In Africa, it was de rigueur in moribund imperial Ethiopia. In Britain the practice died out in the Victorian era.

Edward VII's 're-inventions'   After Victoria’s death in 1901, Edward VII ‘re-invented’ the walking backwards tradition for his new court, and the royal family have remained peculiarly attached to it ever since, notwithstanding the massive social changes that have occurred in the meantime. It was also Edward VII who re-invented the elaborate ritual of the State Opening of Parliament which had virtually disappeared after the death of Albert: this ritual has required a government minister to walk backwards down the steps from the throne throughout the 20th century and up to the present day.

Health & Safety   We are told that the practice of walking backwards from the Queen is being discontinued because of Health & Safety Regulations. Health & Safety Regulations have been in existence for years, and so has the possibility of royal courtiers falling backwards over each other as they leave the royal presence. Why has the change only just been introduced? And if there were no Health & Safety Regulations would the practice continue, notwithstanding its resonance with the age of absolute monarchs?

No change for 57 years   The Queen has been on the throne for 57 years. Did it never occur to her that people walking backwards on leaving her presence was a trifle odd, if not even dangerous for her older ‘retainers’? Did she never think of changing the practice during all the years she has been the monarch? She has no need to follow outdated protocol. She can change it whenever she likes.

21st-century feudalism   Walking backwards, we are told, is a sign of respect for the Queen. That is quite wrong. It is not a sign of respect, but an act of self-abasement, appropriate to another time and another place. The practice is grossly archaic and manifestly ridiculous. It reeks of an age of ignorance and servility and one of vaunting royal arrogance and absolutism.

Having it both ways   The walking backwards story has been spun by the ‘Palace’ PR machine in an attempt to please everybody. For modernisers it is sold as an example of how our rigid, old-fashioned monarchy is at last changing its ways. For traditionalists the ‘change’ is being forced on the Palace by those killjoys in the Health & Safety Executive.

One step forward, two steps back   But don’t despair! Step forward the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps and the Queen’s Equerry who will continue to walk backwards to Christmas and beyond. And of course the Lord Chancellor will continue to walk backwards down the steps from the throne after presenting the monarch with the words for the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose!