Boris Johnson pulls out of awkward handshake at Commonwealth service when he remembers at last minute they are banned at Westminster Abbey amid coronavirus crisis
- Boris Johnson offered handshake to bishop at the Commonwealth Service today
- Photos show the PM reaching out his hand before sharply pulling it backwards
- Prince Charles was spotted avoiding handshakes by giving a ‘namaste’ greeting
- Woody Johnson, US ambassador to the UK, opted for an alternative elbow bump
- It is understood they were following protocol operated by Westminster Abbey
- It comes as the handshake becomes a taboo greeting amid fears of coronavirus
- The global hashtag ‘StopShakingHands’ has also been widely used on Twitter
This is the awkward moment Boris Johnson extends his hand but snatches it back at the last minute as he remembers handshakes are banned amid the coronavirus crisis.
Cringeworthy pictures show the Prime Minister proffering his hand to a religious leader during the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey today before sharply pulling it backwards.
Mr Johnson then holds his hands up in a gesture of innocence while his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, and the bishop appear to chuckle.
Boris Johnson pictured extending his hand to the religious leader. The hashtag ‘StopShakingHands’ has been widely used on Twitter amid the coronavirus outbreak
The Prime Minister quickly snatches back his hand as he remembers handshakes are banned at the venue. It is understood he was following protocol being operated by Westminster Abbey
Mr Johnson holding up his hands in a gesture of innocence at Westminster Abbey while his fiancee Carrie Symonds (left) and the bishop (right) appear to chuckle in reponse
Meanwhile, Prince Charles was spotted avoiding handshakes by giving a ‘namaste’ greeting.
The Prince of Wales declined to shake hands with Baroness Janet Scotland, but instead pressed his palms together and gave a slight bow.
As members of the Royal Family arrived they were introduced to a line of dignitaries, including Mr Johnson, but no-one shook hands as they greeted each other.
It is understood the Queen and other senior royals were following the protocol the Abbey has been operating under during the past few days.
Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, also figured out an alternative way to shake hands at the annual Commonwealth Service, offering another guest an elbow bump instead.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his wife Laura Alvarez also arrived at the Westminster Abbey event, along with Home Secretary Priti Patel and Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Prince Charles was spotted declining to shake hands with Baroness Janet Scotland, pressing his palms together and lightly bowing in a ‘namaste’ greeting instead
Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, seen offering an elbow bump as his alternative to a handshake, while greeting guests at the annual Commonwealth Service
Spectators were pictured wearing face masks outside the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey to protect against the spread of coronavirus
It marks Prince Harry and Meghan’s last official outing as senior members of the royal family before they give up their titles at the end of the month as part of their ‘Megxit’ departure deal.
The procession included Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, clergy, Mr Johnson and the Commonwealth Secretary General, among others.
It follows the handshake becoming a taboo greeting among professional workers as employees and clients fear the spread of coronavirus in the workplace.
The hashtag ‘StopShakingHands’ has been widely used on Twitter as the outbreak takes hold and Britons take steps to minimise the chances of catching the illness.
In Germany, even Chancellor Angela Merkel was shunned by her interior minister Horst Seehofer who refused to shake her hand at an event last week.
Merkel had previously refused to shake the hands of attendees at an event in her own district due to the outbreak.
One British doctor also claimed she has stopped shaking hands, with new acquaintances and a Google executive revealed how he has spent hours avoiding the greeting in order to stop the virus spreading.