LeBron Kind of Broke Royal Protocol With Kate

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.

See The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Meet the King and Queen of Hip Hop

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

The Duchess, who is five months pregnant, wore a coat the covered her baby bump.

Robert Deutsch—USA Today Sports

Between the 3rd and 4th quarter of the game, Beyonce and Jay Z approached the royal couple to say hello.

Rich Kane—UPI/Landov

Onlookers tried to catch the momentous meeting on their smartphones while the royal couples tried to act totally normal.

Kathy Willens—AP

There was another royal at Barclays that night-- LeBron James, known as King James, led the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory over the Brooklyn Nets

Jason Szenes—EPA

Former Houston Rockets player Dikembe Mutombo talks to the Duchess as they sit courtside.

Kathy Willens—AP

Even royals need snacks.

Rich Kane—UPI/Landov

LeBron James presented the Duke and Duchess with two Cavaliers jerseys, including one for baby George.

Getty Images

1 of 8

Advertisement

The Brief Newsletter

Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample

Sign Up Now

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

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