LeBron Kind of Broke Royal Protocol With Kate

2 minute read

To an American eye, there was nothing strange about a sweaty LeBron James putting his arm around Kate to pose for a photograph after his Cleveland Cavaliers played the Brooklyn Nets on Monday evening. To the British, though, merely touching the Duchess of Cambridge represents a serious breach in etiquette. Someone get some smelling salts!

While U.S. headlines cooed over the adorable mini-jersey James presented to Prince William and Kate, who were in New York as part of their three-day visit, British tabloids led with the fact that star basketball player inadvertently violated royal protocol. While the website of the Monarchy stipulates that “there are no obligatory codes of behavior” for meeting a member of the royal family, the more understood protocol is, well, don’t touch or speak to a royal unless you’re touched or spoken to first.

First Lady Michelle Obama broke this unofficial rule in 2009 when she put her arm around Queen Elizabeth II. The media went wild, but the Queen was cool with it, though, because Obama’s arms are amazing.

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge
Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are displayed on the Jumbotron during the basketball game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Dec. 8, 2014. Kathy Willens—AP
NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets
The Duchess, who is five months pregnant, wore a coat the covered her baby bump. Robert Deutsch—USA Today Sports
PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE, THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE ATTEND A BROOKLYN NETS GAME
Between the 3rd and 4th quarter of the game, Beyonce and Jay Z approached the royal couple to say hello. Rich Kane—UPI/Landov
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Jay Z, Beyonce
Onlookers tried to catch the momentous meeting on their smartphones while the royal couples tried to act totally normal. Kathy Willens—AP
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Brooklyn
There was another royal at Barclays that night-- LeBron James, known as King James, led the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory over the Brooklyn NetsJason Szenes—EPA
Royals US Visit
Former Houston Rockets player Dikembe Mutombo talks to the Duchess as they sit courtside. Kathy Willens—AP
PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE, THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE ATTEND A BROOKLYN NETS GAME
Even royals need snacks. Rich Kane—UPI/Landov
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Attend Cleveland Cavaliers v Brooklyn Nets
LeBron James presented the Duke and Duchess with two Cavaliers jerseys, including one for baby George. Getty Images

Read next: LeBron James Gave William and Kate a Cavaliers Jersey for Prince George

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Write to Charlotte Alter at charlotte.alter@time.com