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Liz Truss's 'awkward' curtsy to King Charles III gets the meme treatment on Twitter

While Charles's proclamation as King garnered attention, it was Truss's curtsy during the monarch's first weekly audience that got people talking

LONDON, ENGLAND: UK's new Prime Minister Liz Truss became the subject of a flurry of memes over her awkward curtsy before the new King Charles III.

The former Prince of Wales, 73, ascended the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday, September 8. He was formally proclaimed King at a ceremony in St James’s Palace following a meeting of the accession council during which Charles swore an oath to privy counselors. While the proclamation did garner global attention, it was Truss's curtsy during the monarch's first weekly audience that got people talking.

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It is customary in the UK for people to curtsy or bow when appearing before the monarch. PM Truss found out the hard way that curtsies can be highly scrutinized even in this day and age. The new premier slightly bowed her head and gave a small bend to both her knees while appearing before King Charles III for their first weekly audience. Many royal fans found the movement rather awkward.

"Lots to think about this week, mainly how Liz Truss curtsies," one Twitter user wrote while sharing a video of the King and Truss's encounter.

It's worth noting that there's no "official" rule to be followed while greeting a member of the Royal Family, but many adhere to the bow or curtsy for the sake of tradition. According to the official Royal Family website, "For men, this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy." However, even a small curtsy can be difficult to pull off with perfection. Former PM Theresa May was also widely mocked for her curtsy, which some thought was too low. A traditional curtsy entails placing one leg behind the other and bending the knees slightly while bowing one's head. The heel on the back foot remains off the ground until they stand back up. Truss's curtsy was criticized for being quick and stiff. 

"The PM is held up by wires attached to the kilted equerry's head," journalist Mark Simpson quipped.

"I couldn't figure out why Truss looked so odd, it's because she hunches her back rather than have her back straight and bend her knees," another person pointed out.

"Liz Truss's curtsy looks more like the reaction to suddenly and unexpectedly sh***ing yourself," someone else offered.

"Looks like she's at a manual handling course," another joked

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Meanwhile, some compared the new PM's curtsy to that of her predecessor Theresa May.

"While we’re on the topic of Liz Truss’s failed attempt at a curtsy, Theresa May’s awkward, extra low, constipated giraffe ones are well worth remembering too," one tweeted.

"It's not only #LizTruss that cant curtsey. May looked like she was struggling to deliver soup to a table," another wrote.