Prince Edward explains why he doesn't shake hands with crowds

Prince Edward has explained his reasoning for not shaking hands with people as he greets the thousands of people that have travelled to pay their respects to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

No, it’s not because he can’t bear to touch the germ-ridden hands of the proletariat, although that’s no doubt what a lot of you will be thinking.

Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Alamy Stock Photo

The Earl and Countess of Wessex have been in London for a few days since the Queen’s passing earlier in September, and they went outside to greet a few of the mourners who had turned out to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s youngest son spent a decent amount of time out there, choosing individual people to chat to outside the royal residence.

However, when people held their hands out to shake, Edward wasn’t keen to do so, favouring more of a wave rather than physical contact.

Apparently it’s all down to the simple fact that there are just loads of people there, and shaking hands with one of them would leave him feeling obliged to shake hands with everyone.

So, he’s apparently decided not to shake any hands, meaning that the people gathered in admiration to the British monarchy have had to make do with a smile and a wave, or the opportunity to possibly shake hands with another member of the family.

To one person, he remarked: “I’d love to shake hands, but have you seen how many people there are here?

“They’d [my hands would] fall off!”

Then, another member of the crowd said that he told them: “I’ve been trying to avoid it only because if I do it once, I have to shake everybody’s hand”.

Despite not wishing to touch anyone, he did greet many of those who had gathered, accompanied by his wife Sophie.

Outside the palace, he also said that his mother would ‘appreciate this fantastic support’ on offer to his family.

PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo

After her death, the Earl and Countess of Wessex released a statement that said: “We have been overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person who was always there for us.

“And now, we are there for her, united in grief.

“Thank you for your support, you have no idea how much it means.”

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place tomorrow at Westminster Abbey.