It seems like the ultimate insult – seconds after a soldier is introduced to the Queen he immediately sits down in the road.
But while onlookers wondered what was going on, Her Majesty smiled, acknowledging the Fijian fighter`s mark of respect.
Sgt Rusiate Bolavucu, 32, of Burma Company, was following a tradition from his South Pacific homeland.
He said: “It is a cultural thing for people from Fiji to do when they meet a head of state. It is a way of showing respect.
“The Queen has been to Fiji so she knows about it, so she smiled when she saw what I was doing.”
Sgt Bolavucu was among other soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster Regiment, who had just returned from Afghanistan, plus troops from the regiment`s 4th Battalion.
The Queen met them in Kendal, Cumbria, before touring the Lake District with Princess Anne.
Soldier sits down while meeting with Queen - V?DEO
19 July 2013
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While onlookers wondered what was going on, Her Majesty smiled, acknowledging the Fijian fighter`s mark of respect
