Woman who first met royal family in 1939 meets Prince Edward, wife Sophie

People in Regina gathered outside Government House Thursday to meet the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Some of those people would meet royals for the first time, but others who some term "royal watchers" make these meetings as regular as the royals' visits.

Dorceil Webb was there watching. She's 84 years old, and met her first royals in 1939 in Semans, Sask. 

She met Queen Elizabeth and King George that year, and still has the small royal flag from the visit. Since then she says she has met everyone in the royal family except Prince Harry.

"When I was a young girl we were taught about the royal family, we were taught to respect the royal family," she said. "They're the head of our country in those days."

• A royal affair: Earl and Countess of Wessex arrive in Saskatchewan

• Royals wrap up Regina visit today

Protocol when meeting royals

So how should you act when meeting royalty?

Jason Quilliam is the Chief of Protocol for the Saskatchewan government. He says there is a proper way to meet the royal couple.

• Curtsy or head bow when you first meet them.
• Refer to them as "your royal highness".
• After the first reference you can call them "sir" or "ma'am".

Quilliam also noted that the royal couple is relaxed and won't be offended if the official protocol isn't followed.

"They're here to meet Saskatchewan citizens," he said.

"They want to meet with them, they want to engage, they're not going to stand on protocol. They're not concerned you know about a head bow or a curtsy."