Etiquette Expert Criticizes Mbappe's Demeanor Towards Harry Kane at Ballon d'Or

Etiquette expert Laura Windsor has commented on the behavior of French footballers Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele at the recent Ballon d'Or ceremony, suggesting their actions towards winner Harry Kane showed a lack of respect. Windsor, dubbed the 'Queen of Etiquette,' stated that the pair's failure to stand and properly acknowledge Kane's achievement demonstrated 'contempt' and a deficit in 'grace and humility in defeat.'

Video footage from the event at the London Palladium captured Kane, 33, greeting Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain teammate Dembele. Both French players remained seated as Kane approached to shake their hands, with Mbappe appearing to look away before engaging. The footage also showed Mbappe not rising to congratulate Kane when he was announced as the winner of the Ballon d'Or, the world's most prestigious individual football award.

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Windsor told the Daily Mail that the 'dignified' response for Mbappe and Dembele would have been to stand and congratulate Kane, who narrowly beat Mbappe to the award. "Whether you're shaking hands or simply saying hello, rising is the first mark of respect when you meet someone," Windsor explained. She added that showing such behavior towards a rival's success reflects poorly on them as 'role models,' emphasizing that "Humility, not arrogance, is what earns lasting respect."

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This incident drew parallels to a previous event involving actress Zendaya at a Louis Vuitton show in Paris. Zendaya was criticized for remaining seated when approached by Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, and Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH. According to Windsor and former royal butler Julius Smith, standing to greet someone is a fundamental gesture of respect that applies regardless of celebrity status or the perceived importance of the other person.