RICHARD EDEN: Surely we STAND to greet our future Queen! So why did Daniel Craig stay lounging in the Royal Box with his shades on when Kate approached? It’s time to learn some manners Mr Bond!

It’s a subtle question of etiquette: when meeting the Princess of Wales, just how should royalty behave – Hollywood royalty, that is?

Daily Mail Diary Editor Richard Eden has made his views known:

James Bond actor Daniel Craig and wife Rachel Weisz should have got to their feet when Kate approached them in the Royal Box on Sunday – as a mark of respect if not plain good manners, he told his followers on Instagram.

Sharing a photo in which the Princess of Wales can be seen talking to the celebrity pairing, he wrote:

‘This photograph makes me uneasy. While there may not have been space for Rachel Weisz to curtsy or Daniel Craig to bow, shouldn’t they have at least stood up to greet the Princess of Wales? 

‘James Bond needs to learn some basic etiquette,’ agreed a commenter on Instagram

‘Craig could have even gone mad and removed his sunglasses.’

It should be noted that fellow actor James Norton, star of Happy Valley and War and Peace, felt able to stand up in order to greet the princess. 

But Eden’s views have prompted something of a dispute.

‘Behave Richard,’ one commenter admonished. ‘There’s also pictures of Prince William and Prince George chatting who Daniel, who remained seated. I really don’t think they were too fussed.’

‘Please get over yourself. Not everyone worships your royals,’ said another.

Others speculated that the Princess had asked the couple to remain seated.

There were plenty taking Eden’s side, however.

‘I was thing the same when I saw her shake their hands,’ agreed a fan of traditional courtesy.  ‘Stand up man!’ 

According to  another commenter: ‘They didn’t stand up to greet the King of Spain….James Bond needs to learn some basic etiquette rules.’

Yet another put it succinctly: ‘Total lack of manners and/or awareness.’

Speaking to The Mail’s new Royals section, Eden said:

‘Even if you’re Hollywood royalty, it would be basic courtesy to stand up when someone comes over to talk to you, whoever they are. When that person is our future queen, it’s even more important.’

Actor James Norton was rose to the occasion when speaking to the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte at Wimbledon

But Daniel Craig was happy to remain seated when the heir to the throne approached. At least Prince George seemed to get the idea

Others, though, disagreed with Eden – some strongly – prompting a dispute about the modern place of deference

Commentators weighed in on both sides

‘I understand that, these days, people tend to bow and curtsy only for the monarch. I think that’s a shame. In my opinion, they should extend the same courtesy to our future queen.

‘It’s certainly not a mistake that James Bond would have made when he was on His Majesty’s Secret Service.’