British Auto Racer Lewis Hamilton Gets Etiquette Lesson From Queen Elizabeth II [Video]

British auto racer Lewis Hamilton has been given a lesson in etiquette from Queen Elizabeth II. Hamilton, 30, was seated next to the queen, 89, during a private lunch when she reminded him of a few proper rules. In an interview with British talk show host Graham Norton, the Formula One driver said he got carried away after being seated next to the monarch at a private lunch, according to People.

The driver said he was invited to a lunch and was sitting next to the queen on Friday. “I was excited and started to talk to her, but she said -- pointing to my left -- ‘No, you speak that way first, and I’ll speak this way and then I’ll come back to you.’ ” Hamilton not only witnessed her impeccable table manners firsthand, but also got a glimpse into the monarch’s personal life.

However, after he got an opportunity to speak to the queen, Hamilton had nothing but praise for her. He said the queen was a very sweet woman and they chatted about how she spends her weekends, her houses and music. The queen regularly hosts intimate lunches with guests from across British life.

Etiquette expert Maj. Gen. James Cowan said the convention encourages flowing conversation. A spokesman for Debrett’s, the society etiquette experts, said the queen speaks to the person on her right, the guest of honor -- for the duration of the first course. The spokesman added that for the second course, she speaks to the person seated to her left.

Hamilton is no stranger to royalty: He met Prince Harry following his victory at the Formula One World Championship in November. Harry congratulated the race driver on his success. The talented driver also received an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) from the queen in 2009. Recently, Hamilton has been spending more time with his new friends, the Kardashian-Jenner family. Pictured as a member of Kim Kardashian West’s "Cannes clique" on Instagram on Tuesday, he was reportedly set to join Kim and her stepsisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner to watch Kanye West’s performance at Britain's Glastonbury Festival.