We might fawn over Kate Middleton's down-to-earth personality now, but years ago the royal family was treated with such supreme reverence that they were likened to divine beings, therefore touching them was off limits. Although many people would sell an organ to get a hug from Michelle or LeBron, each broke the number one rule when meeting the royals: don't go beyond a handshake. In 2009, Michelle Obama was chastised for hugging the queen, and basketball superstar LeBron James was called out in 2014 for putting his arm around Kate Middleton after the Cleveland Cavaliers won a game against the Brooklyn Nets. There is a nuanced royal protocol in place as a way to ensure universal respect for Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of her relatives, and although it's rather simple, people still manage to break it all the time. If you've ever been nervous about meeting your significant others's parents, it's nothing compared to the amount of pressure that comes with greeting a member of the British royal family.
