LeBron James Breaks Royal Protocol By Putting Arm Around Kate Middleton

[Baitball Blogger]

Prince William and Kate Middleton met LeBron James after they watched his Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Brooklyn Nets on Monday at the Barclays Center, but the 6’8 athlete committed a royal faux pas when he threw his arm around The Duchess of Cambridge (see video and photos below).

While posing for pictures with the couple, James broke royal protocol by placing his arm around Middleton’s shoulder. Royal etiquette recommends no touching or embracing members of the British Monarchy, but Middleton was all smiles despite the breach. James, who scored 18 points for the Cavaliers earlier in the night, presented The Duke and Duchess with a small red basketball jersey for their son with his name “George” and No.1 emblazoned on the back.

James later took to Instagram to share pictures of himself with the couple, writing, “This very moment will be forever remembered and put up in my house. It’s all good and all smiles on this side. #Royalty #StriveForGreatness #RWTW #LRMR #Klutch.” He captioned another photo collage, “Wow what an Honor! This game has brought me so much and I’ll never take it for granted! The King, ‘Duke & Duchess. #Royalty #StriveForGreatness #RWTW #LRMR #Klutch.”

Earlier in the night, William and Middleton were also spotted mingling with Jay Z and Beyonce. As Gossip Cop reported, the royal couple arrived in New York City on Sunday evening to kick off their first official tour of the United States. On Monday, William headed to Washington D.C. to meet with President Obama, while Middleton visited a child development center in Harlem. The two later reunited to meet Hillary and Chelsea Clinton before heading to the Barclays Center for the game. Check out the video and photos below, and tell us what you think of James breaking protocol.

Video at link:
http://www.gossipcop.com/lebron-james-kate-middleton-royal-protocol-prince-williams-photos/#0

[csziggy]

1. "Royal etiquette" is for subjects of that royalty

Americans fought wars to NOT be bound by the rule of royalty, why should an American be bound by anything more than normal etiquette?

If the British woman in question did not want LeBron James touching her, she should have indicated that. It's HER choice, not the dictate of some archaic "etiquette."

[LanternWaste]

16. We fought a war so we could put our arms around a princess during a photo-op!

We fought a war so we could put our arms around a princess during a photo-op!

I am often bemused by the lay person's knowledge of history...

[geomon666]

49. You don't remember the Tom's River Shoulder Hug Party?

It happened on December 15, 1773 in Tom's River, NJ. We'd be celebrating it to this day if those Bostonian bastards hadn't shown us up with their tea party shenanigans.

[TwilightGardener]

2. No "royal protocol" in this country, so he couldn't have broken it.

Edit to add--he did what Americans normally do when they pose together for a photo.

[HereSince1628]

38. Exactly. Don't come here for luv if you don't want hugs.

[monmouth4]

3. The Royals seem quite pleased to meet the great LeBron and paid no attention to this so-called

breach. They knew what they were getting into when the came for the visit....LOL..

[hifiguy]

24. Correct answer.

I am sure that neither of them could give less of a hoot.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. Impeach. nt

[Hassin Bin Sober]

41. Thanks Obama!

As I write this, a thought comes over me that the RWNJs will think of a way to blame Obama. So I go from to

[Politicalboi]

53. Remember, Michelle touched the Queen

That's when it all started ya know. Thanks Obama's.

[AngryAmish]

5. Look, they get to meet King James

He is as royal as they are.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. +1

[Blue_Tires]

31. The Royal Family greeting some English visitors:

:large
:large

https://twitter.com/Ivanibr/status/542161003325435904

[WorseBeforeBetter]

47. Yes. And they all look *so* uncomfortable! (n/t)

[arcane1]

6. Good. Fuck "royalty".

You're in our country, inbreds! Your bullshit ass-kissing protocols mean nothing here

[LordGlenconner]

17. Terrific attitude

I'll remember that the next time I host a visitor from another country.

"Speak our language, asshole" or some such.

[arcane1]

18. A visitor that says "you are bound by my rules while I visit" is an asshole.

Going to someone else's country and insisting they speak your language; that's what the royals are effectively doing.

I'm not going to visit France and insist they speak English to me. As a visitor, I should respect their customs.

[LordGlenconner]

20. I think maybe you're taking it all too seriously.

[arcane1]

22. I'm actually not taking it seriously at all, hence the smiley.

A bunch of kids playing like they are royalty. That's not something one can take seriously.

[nichomachus]

27. I'm not sure the royals "insisted" on anything

It was brought up by the gossip monger trying to gin up a faux controversy. Calm Down.

[arcane1]

28. True, that's a good point.

It's still fun to mock them

[nichomachus]

29. I don't know why. They seem like nice people.

And to tell you the god's honest truth, I wouldn't want their job. It's not like he asked to be the prince. It was kind of thrust on him. He'd probably rather be just a guy who gets to live his life, enjoy his family, and do his job. Being a royal must really suck.

[nichomachus]

40. There are some perks

But to have a life that is not your own must indeed be excruciating. I can't imagine it. You're told where you have to go, who you have to meet with, what you have to wear, what you can and can't say, who you have to bow to, who bows to you. You have to be nice to disgusting people. You can't crack a joke. You can't just gomto a dive bar in torn jeans and a two-day beard to drink cheap beer and tell dirty joke.

I think the things you see as luxury get pretty old after a while. Why do you think Diana and Fergie couldn't deal with it?

Also, think of Will and Harry. When they go to a friend's stag party, they end up shoving pictures of their grandmother into a stripper's G-string.

[ret5hd]

55. You can't just gomto (sic) a dive bar in torn jeans and a two-day beard to drink cheap beer...

and tell dirty joke (sic). "

Yes you can. A rich man can always imitate a poor man, the opposite is not so true.

[nichomachus]

58. Okay

You've run out of pompous "sic"s for this week.

[ret5hd]

59. well, pomous maybe...but accurate? hella yeah!

(and now you get to use a "sic&quot

[nichomachus]

60. Sometimes "sic" is necessary for clarification and

Sometimes you're just being a pompous dick.

[ret5hd]

62. yeah, i'm being as dick...but you still haven't addressed my points.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

65. was lebron in the UK entertaining royals?

or was he in his own country being visited by royals

and also, fuck the royals

[pa28]

52. Hey, they aren't totally useless.

You could make a huge quantity of driveway gravel from Buckingham palace. I'd buy some.

[arcane1]

54. Good point: I got to 3rd base in front of Buckingham palace, on Christmas eve

If not for the royals, I would only be able to say I got the 3rd base on front of some nameless building in London

[pa28]

56. And I got buttonholed by a con wanting to bet 50 quid I didn't know the population of the U.S.

That poor guy would starve.

[FSogol]

8. It is really nice that Lebron spent some time with those 2 British welfare recipients.

[Baitball Blogger]

9. LOL!

[NCTraveler]

11. Made me laugh. nt.

[DinahMoeHum]

10. So WTF?

The "royals" and their whole fucking cottage industry of pearl-clutchers can go take a long walk off a short pier.

They're the UK's equivalent of the Kardashians.

[LanternWaste]

14. We didn't end it, we merely re-branded manners for everyone rather than simply the landowners.

We didn't end it, we merely re-branded manners for everyone rather than simply the landowners.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. Is this as bad as when Michelle Obama hugged Queen Elizabeth?

I remember a major brouhaha about that.

[Terra Alta]

43. Oh noes!!!!11

The Queen of England being hugged by a black woman! We can't have THAT, now can we?

[stevenleser]

15. This happens with some frequency. The Aussie PM touched Queen Elizabeth a few years back and

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/692302.stm

and... the current Aussie PM hugged William this year http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2612736/Australian-prime-minister-Tony-Abbott-accused-breaching-royal-protocol-pictured-hugging-Prince-William.html

I think the royals are over that bit of protocol.

[AngryOldDem]

19. I wondered about that.

Both Will and Kate looked a tad uncomfortable, and I kind of thought that was the reason.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

46. They don't look uncomfortable at all. Same with when meeting Beyonce and Jay Z.

But people will believe whatever fits their agenda.

[Nye Bevan]

69. I wonder if they addressed Jay Z as "Mister Zed"? (nt)

[WorseBeforeBetter]

73. I have no idea what that means.

Perhaps I'm not living right.

Or, I'm a middle-aged white woman who doesn't care for pop or rap. Am I getting warmer?!

[laundry_queen]

79. not quite :)

In England (and where I am, in Canada) the letter 'Z' ('zee') is pronounced 'zed'.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

87. Ah!

Thanks for the explanation.

[AngryOldDem]

84. That bottom picture is not the one I've been seeing.

I've been seeing the one where LeBron has his arm over her shoulder.

And it is considered a breach of protocol. Not a major one, but one nevertheless.

And, pray tell, what agenda do I have? I just love it when people infer a whole bunch of shit from another person's observation.

[MineralMan]

21. When in Rome, expect the Romans to behave according to Roman rules.

British royal protocol is not American protocol. If you travel here, you may well experience things you don't experience at home. Frankly, that's a very good reason to travel.

This is silly.

[calimary]

23. Well, hell. If I met Duchess Kate, I'd want to pose with my arm around her too.

I just like her. She brings fresh air to that stale old institution. I like that she's a so-called commoner. Princess Di was of the aristocracy. Kate isn't. Sorry. I just like that. Just do.

[renate]

34. I like her too

I like both of them very much. They seem to genuinely want to do good, be goodwill ambassadors, and raise their child(ren) as normally as possible.

I think some people are interpreting this "story" as if William and Kate had acted affronted. They certainly didn't (nor would they ever, because they are polite)--neither one of them has ever given any indication (as far as I know) of thinking or behaving as if they're better than anyone else--and it's silly to blame them for anybody else's reactions.

[dilby]

25. He is an athlete not a Head of State. n/t

[GoCubsGo]

26. Kate who?

For the life of me, I'll never understand the fixation the American press and many Americans the British royals. And. since Le Bron is not her subject, "royal protocol" does not apply.

[jberryhill]

30. see entry under "fuck", subhead "flying : not given"

[jmowreader]

32. People born of royal blood might have freaked out...

...but since Kate was born a commoner and has worked for a living, the look on her face is, "fuck this royal protocol shit, it's LEBRON!"

[chrisa]

33. As if royalty matters in the UK anymore.

Oh no, he broke a pointless rule by putting his arm around a figurehead. The horror.

[True Blue Door]

35. They're a rich couple who gets paid by British taxpayers to attend ceremonies.

That's all. "Protocol" my balls.

[Princess Turandot]

37. I thought that he was in part accommodating the difference in their heights...

people that tall do it often enough. They look like they were having a good time.

[Terra Alta]

39. Who. Cares.

The royals themselves don't seem to mind so I don't see why such a big deal is being made. I have to wonder if it would have been made to be such a big deal if LeBron were white.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

51. It's a "big deal" only with some gossip blogger...

who didn't get his/her facts straight.

[cyberswede]

42. Huh - she's kinda tall, given he's 6'8"

Other than that, I have nothing to contribute.

[MisterP]

74. making William 6'5" ...

[cyberswede]

75. I got curious... Prince Wm is 6'3"

I had no idea.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1237019/Why-6ft-3in-Prince-William-towers-titchy-royal-ancestors.html

[MisterP]

76. knock, knock, who's there?

giant male-pattern coast guard prince

[Octafish]

44. So? Who's she to him?

And who's she to us? Our sister, but that's about all.

[pa28]

45. Good for him. I like this picture better for some reason.

The royals are worse than useless.

[LeftInTX]

48. Maybe LeBron thought the rules applied only to the queen

I wouldn't have known it applied to Kate, but WTH, I've never met any royal anything.

[CBGLuthier]

50. He is an american I believe. We do not give two shits about royal protocol.

We fought a war over that shit.

I saw an article the other day that said that Americans do not have to bow and curtsy but they should do so out of respect.

Poppycock. Royalty is an anachronistic practice that we do not follow. When they are in our country they are just two regular people.

If the english insist on keeping royalty that is their business but Americans have no business kissing their ass.

[SiobhanClancy]

57. If the author of this article is so concerned about protocol....

Why is she referred to as "Kate Middleton"? I seem to remember hearing something about a wedding

[Jesus Malverde]

61. a sweaty hug no less.

[malaise]

63. Fugg Royal Protocol

That crap should stay in England

[La Lioness Priyanka]

64. good for him.

[Retrograde]

66. And yet, his arm didn't fall off, no one was struck by lightening

there wasn't a rain of toads, and the world still continues as usual. I fail to see the fascination some Americans have with British royalty: why does no one seem to get as enthused about the queen of, say, Denmark (who is IMHO at least a more accomplished person)? Parts of the US used to be British colonies, true, but a lot more of it was once controlled by Spain (and for much longer): where is the love for their monarchs?

Anyway, when in Rome....

[Aristus]

67. I remember a number of years ago, the Queen visited an American woman in a New York apartment.

The woman offered the Queen a huge, kind, warm hug. I seem to remember the Queen being startled at first, but I don't remember that she was displeased by it.

I do remember the media making a circus out of the incident.

Warmth and kindness are just how some Americans roll...

[treestar]

68. They are loosening up on that kind of thing

What an archaic custom.

[OverBurn]

70. Not a LeBron fan, but good for him, screw all that royal BS.

[bigwillq]

71. Good for Bron.

End these archaic protocols.

[Nye Bevan]

72. It's his first offense in this regard and I think the Queen should cut him some slack (nt)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

77. They all look happy and healthy. Compared to what else is in the news today, I think breach of

protocol is the least of both of our countries problems.

[cherokeeprogressive]

78. Look at the gallon of sweat under his left armpit. I'd NEVER subject anyone to that...

Fuck the Royals, that breaks MY protocol.

[laundry_queen]

80. LOL finally someone says what I was thinking.

Took until the last post in the thread (at the moment of this writing) but there it is.

I SO agree. ick.

[cherokeeprogressive]

81. Gimme a hug Princess!

[951-Riverside]

82. Lets be honest here, the writer doesnt like seeing a Black Man with his hands on a White Woman

Case closed.

End of story.

#Racism

And by the way, Americans are not subjects of the monarchy so these silly rules don't apply anyway but I'm sure the racist writer is fully aware of that.

[JonLP24]

83. "Royal protocal"?

Is this even a controversy? It wouldn't surprise me due to obsession from some to find offensiveness due to violation of silly rituals.

[nichomachus]

85. No, it's not a controversy

It is a non-troversy ginned up by a gossip writer to start trouble.

For heaven's sake, Prince William flew on the DC shuttle to go from NYC to DC to meet with Obama. You don't do that if your'e afraid someone might touch you.

[Dr. Strange]

88. Joey Crawford was right there when it happened.

But did he call anything? Nooooo, as usual LeBron gets the royal treatment.