The term to '''Kiss Hands''' is used in the United_Kingdom to refer to the formal installation of British governmental office-holders to their office.
In the past, it referred to the requirement that the office-holder ''actually'' Kiss the hands of the Sovereign as a symbol of their ''Fealty'' and ''loyalty'' to the Sovereign, that fealty and loyalty being a requirement to serve in the King's or Queen's government. In modern times, office holders are not required to actually physically kiss the hands of the sovereign (though some, to the current Queen Elizabeth II's embarrassment, have unexpectedly done so). Simply meeting with the Queen is taken to validate the appointment, with this meeting being described as "kissing hands".
The invitation issued to a party leader to form a government is sometimes still described as "an invitation to Kiss Hands".
Category:Greetings
Category:Politics_of_the_United_Kingdom
Category:State_ritual_and_ceremonial