Practice your curtsy: His Royal Highness visits today

Britain's Prince Edward, and his wife, the Countess of Wessex, visit Bahrain's Grand Mosque earlier this month. (Ali Fraidoon / AP)

Breaking News Desk

Posted: April 26, 2012

Prince Edward, youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II,is due in Philadelphia this afternoon.

Just a word of advice: For men, the standard protocol is to bow - from the head only. For women, a slight curtsy will do. Or, if you won’t have none of that. Don’t worry. There is no obligatory greeting. However, it would also be good to refer to the Prince as, “Your Royal Highness” on first reference, then “Sir” on second.

Prince Edward is in town to honor his mother’s 60th Anniversary as queen and to support the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program in the city, so named after his father.

Edward is Chairman of the International Council of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association, a youth development program which operates in 132 countries. The program was launched in Philadelphia in 2009. His itinerary calls for him to meet Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants from Girard College, the Science Leadership Academy and the Valley Forge Military Academy. He’ll also meet with students from some suburban high schools that also participate in the program.

Also known as The Earl of Wessex, Edward will plant a tree at Girard College in honor of his mother. His great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII, had planted a tree at Girard during his 1860 visit to Philadelphia.

Edward will also visit Independence National Historical Park, attend a private reception to recognize the Commonwealth Societies, and sit at an invitation-only dinner at The Restaurant School for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program.

On Friday morning, he’llattend a breakfast hosted by the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia.

For the record, Edward, 48, is seventh in line to the throne.