A Fijian soldier in the British Army shocked bystanders yesterday when he sat down on the ground in front of Queen Elizabeth II, only moments after speaking to monarch.
Sgt Rusiate Bolavucu, 32, representing the Burma Company, part of the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment met the Queen during her royal tour of Kendal, Cumbria yesterday, The Telegraph reports.
Footage of the incident shows the sergeant sit down cross-legged after a brief exchange with the British monarch, who appears to look down at him in bewilderment.
Fijian Soldier SITS Down in Front of Queen / Moment Fijian soldier sits down when he meets the Queen. A Fijian soldier confuses onlookers by sitting down after meeting the Queen, during her visit to Cumbria. The act is seen a mark of respect for Royalty in Fiji.
Wellwishers cheering The Queen were startled when the soldier she'd just spoken to suddenly sat himself down in the road during the royal tour of Kendal, Cumbria on Thursday.
However, Her Majesty knew exactly what was going on.
The well-travelled monarch understood what the crowds did not - that it was Fijian mark of respect for royalty.
Sgt Rusiate Bolavucu, 32, representing the Burma Company, part of the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment, was following an ancient tradition from his South Pacific homeland.
He said: "It is a traditional and cultural thing for people from Fiji to do when they meet a head of state. It is a way of showing respect."
