Should you always stand up to greet someone? Etiquette expert claims Mbappe’s behaviour towards Harry Kane at Ballon d’Or showed ‘contempt’

Harry Kane was named the world’s best footballer last night at a tense Ballon d’Or ceremony as the England captain’s big night risked being overshadowed by planning gaffes and poor logistics. 

Another blight on Harry’s big night was Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele’s behaviour after the French football superstars were accused of disrespecting the winner.

After the pair failed to stand to shake Kane’s hand before he won the prestigious trophy, the ‘Queen of Etiquette’ Laura Windsor suggested their behaviour demonstrated a lack of ‘grace and humility in defeat’. 

Footage from the London Palladium showed Kane, 33, greeting Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain star Dembele in the theatre, while they paid him little attention.

Both French players stayed firmly in their seats as Kane crouched to grasp their hands – with Mbappe in particular looking elsewhere before the Englishman caught his attention. 

The video also revealed Mbappe did not stand up to congratulate Kane when he was announced as the winner.

Analysing the clip, Ms Windsor told the Daily Mail that the ‘dignified’ thing would have been for Mbappe – who Kane beat narrowly – and Dembele to get up when Kane approached them. 

‘Whether you’re shaking hands or simply saying hello, rising is the first mark of respect when you meet someone,’ she said. 

‘When a rival wins the Ballon d’Or, the world’s most prestigious individual prize in football, the dignified response is to stand, congratulate them, and acknowledge the achievement.’ 

Ms Windsor concluded that Mbappe and Dembele are ‘role models’ and ‘showing contempt for a rival’s success’ is a poor look, adding: ‘Humility, not arrogance, is what earns lasting respect.

Earlier this month, Zendaya became embroiled in a similar row when she attended the Louis Vuitton show in Paris. 

The Dune actress, 30, was front row as house ambassador at the presentation at the Louvre on Tuesday when Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, came over to say hello.

When Zendaya finally noticed Mrs Macron, 73, with her arm awkwardly extended, she remained seated and offered a cursory ‘pleasure to meet you’ and a handshake before the show began. La bise, this was clearly not.

Zendaya did not stand for Bernard Arnault, the chief executive of LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton, either, in what was seen as another ‘misstep’.

The video sparked a flurry of debate online; many said Zendaya’s behaviour was ‘definitely rude’ and an unnecessary ‘power move’, noting ‘it is customary to get up to greet an older person’.

While some defended the Euphoria actress, Ms Windsor felt standing up to greet someone is the ‘first step to establishing a positive relationship’ with someone regardless of their ‘celebrity status’. 

‘One of the simplest rules of etiquette is that when you meet someone, you stand up,’ Laura Windsor declared, adding it has ‘nothing to do with celebrity status’.

However, ‘there are slightly different customs’ when greeting prominent royals or religious leaders, as Ms Windsor and former royal butler Julius Smith revealed the proper way to greet VIPs.

Zendaya has rarely faced public criticism despite nearly 20 years in the entertainment industry, but that changed after footage of her encounter with Brigitte started circulating on X.

Their paths crossed at the star-studded Louis Vuitton spring/summer presentation in the Cour Carrée, or the square courtyard, of the historic Louvre Museum on October 6.

Seated in the front row, Zendaya was engrossed in conversation when Mr Arnault, 77-year-old chairman and CEO of luxury behemoth LVMH, welcomed her to the show.

Dressed head-to-toe in Louis Vuitton, Zendaya shook Mr Arnault’s hand without getting up and said it was ‘nice to see you’ before returning to her conversation.

Seconds later, Mrs Macron walked up to the actress, said ‘hello’ and held out her hand, but did not get a response. Zendaya finally noticed the French First Lady when Brigitte added ‘Bonjour’ in French.

The video was posted on X with the caption: ‘Zendaya girl…. you gotta get up when the First Lady of France is trying to say hello to you.’

It has received nearly nine million views at the time of writing and sparked a flurry of comments about whether Zendaya’s behaviour was disrespectful.

Both Mr Smith, founder of Regal Afternoon Tea, and Ms Windsor felt standing up would have been the right thing for Zendaya to do.

‘The correct thing to do when somebody approaches to greet you is to stand up, look them in the eye, smile and acknowledge them properly,’ Mr Smith said. ‘It is a very simple gesture, but one that shows respect.’

Standing also shows that you are ‘attentive’, Ms Windsor added. ‘It shows that you recognise the importance of the person in front of you and that you are making an effort to engage with them.’

She called it the ‘first step in establishing a positive relationship’, which is why it is so ‘unfortunate’ Zendaya remained seated when approached by Mr Arnault, considering her professional relationship with the prestigious design house.

Zendaya was announced as Louis Vuitton’s House Ambassador in a 2023 video campaign for its prized Capucines bag that typically costs between £5,400 and £6,500.

Her role made the interaction with Mr Arnault even more awkward, according to Mr Smith.  

‘One might have expected her to be particularly conscious of greeting him properly, especially given their professional connection,’ Mr Smith said. ‘But regardless of his position, standing up would have been the courteous thing to do.’

‘And that applies to everybody. It doesn’t matter whether you are meeting the King, the Pope or somebody you have never met before,’ he continued. 

‘Good manners should never depend on how important the other person happens to be.’

READ MORE: Inside Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or after-party: Wife Kate and his parents join England captain – wearing a £1m Rolex – at exclusive London nightclub – but champagne’s kept to a minimum before he’s back at training TODAY!