Duncan Gilles: Royals flushed in US game of snap

William, Kate and LeBron James present a classic study in awkwardness. Photo / AP

The British media believe basketballer breached protocol but William and Kate were on his home court

You have to feel sorry for LeBron James. He'd just finished leading his Cleveland Cavaliers to a 110-88 win over the Brooklyn Nets when he was wheeled out for another one of those post-match photo-ops that team management organises to help sell the brand and keep corporate sponsors and celebrity types happy.

On Tuesday it was the turn of those most modern of old-world royals Kate and William to have their photo taken with the living legend of American basketball. The thing is, it appears nobody informed the young hip Brits of the protocol that should be followed when meeting such sporting superstars.

Formality is out. He may have earned the title of King James among basketball fans for his feats, but LeBron doesn't expect any special treatment. Just relax, have some fun and get it out of the way. It's all for the cameras anyway, isn't it?

But rather than Wills and Kate joining LeBron in wrapping their arms around one another's shoulders in a huddle of ever-so-slightly-forced familiarity, LeBron was left with his arm hanging around Kate like an uninvited guest. Meanwhile, William stood off to the side, starched sleeves rolled up in that relaxed royal fashion, but somehow looking ill at ease.

How could a photo opportunity go so wrong? Did nobody bother telling Wills and Kate, "When in New York ..." They'd already hung out with Jay-Z and Beyonce for several minutes during the match. Surely they must have picked up the vibe.

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Maybe it's just a cultural difference. James isn't just your everyday dribbler who entertains with the occasional slam dunk. He's a real-deal, rags-to-riches American success story.

He was born to a 16-year-old solo mum, was later taken in by the family of a local football coach who introduced him to basketball when he was 9, and went on to become one of the biggest stars the sport has known.

Along the way he's won two NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player awards, two NBA finals MVP awards, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA scoring title, and the NBA rookie of the year award.

Kate, on the other hand, hooked the most eligible bachelor in England, while William managed to be the eldest son of an eldest son who just happened to be heir to the British throne.

Some reports in Britain suggested it was LeBron who breached protocol by putting his arm around Kate, leaving her awkwardly wondering how to deal with a situation she had never encountered before.

I'm just disappointed that a great American musician who once had royal aspirations of his own wasn't there to join the group photo. Imagine that - the Prince, the Artist Formerly Known as Prince and King James all together in one room. Then Kate could have been excused for not knowing how to act.

• Duncan Gillies is a Herald subeditor