In an unexpected and shocking turn of events, NFL superstars and brothers Travis and Jason Kelce have found themselves embroiled in a royal controversy following a recent encounter with Prince William.

The Kelce brothers, both hailing from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, were special guests at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in London last week, where they had the extraordinary opportunity to meet members of the British royal family.

However, what should have been a joyous occasion quickly took a surprising twist.

During the latest episode of their popular podcast, New Heights, the brothers recounted the moment they inadvertently defied royal protocol by choosing not to bow to the future King of England, Prince William.

“We met royalty, guys. There was royalty at the show,” Travis Kelce said, still in disbelief. “I got there early and got to meet Prince William. How about that? Your Royal Highness!” he continued, recalling the moment with excitement. However, the meeting, which also included the prince’s children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, did not go as smoothly as one might expect.

Travis confessed that he and Jason were uncertain of how to properly greet the royal family. “I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to bow, curtsy, or just be an American idiot and shake their hand,” he joked. While the Kelce brothers were briefed on royal etiquette, they were told that because it wasn’t an official royal event, bowing or curtsying wouldn’t be necessary.

Jason Kelce elaborated, explaining that had it been a formal royal gathering, they would have adhered to protocol. “If it had been an official royal event, then yes, it would’ve been different,” the former Philadelphia Eagles player said. “But I did still address him as ‘Your Royal Highness.’ I’ve never felt more emasculated saying that!”

Despite the advice, the Kelce brothers opted for a more casual approach, shaking Prince William’s hand like “regular people,” as Travis proudly proclaimed. The result? A stunned look from the future king, which the brothers couldn’t help but find amusing.

But their act of defiance did not go unnoticed. Days later, the Kelces received a startling call from Buckingham Palace. Jason revealed, “They called us up, man. They were not happy. They said we disrespected the future King of England by not following proper protocol. Can you believe that?”

The palace representatives went further, warning the brothers of “severe consequences” should they ever defy royal protocol again. “They said if we showed up to another royal event and didn’t bow or curtsy, there would be serious consequences,” Travis added, visibly shocked by the gravity of the message.

Despite the stern warning, the Kelce brothers, known for their fierce competitiveness on the field, made it clear that they wouldn’t back down. “We’re just a couple of guys from Cleveland, and they’re trying to tell us how to act around royalty?” Jason Kelce questioned. “We’re proud Americans, and we’re not going to bow down to anyone, especially not some stuffy royals.”

Travis echoed his brother’s sentiments, adding, “We’re going to treat everyone, including the royals, with the same respect we show everyone else. If they have a problem with that, they can take it up with us.”

The Kelce brothers’ defiance has sparked a wave of support from fans worldwide, who have praised the NFL stars for standing up to royal protocol and refusing to be intimidated by the British monarchy. Many fans took to social media to applaud the brothers for their bold stance.

“The Kelce brothers are true heroes,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “They’re not letting the royals push them around. More people need to have that kind of backbone.” Another added, “I’ve never been prouder of the Kelce brothers. They’re showing the world that you don’t have to bow down to anyone, no matter how royal they think they are.”

As the brothers continue to navigate the fallout from their royal encounter, one thing is clear: they are not backing down. “We’re not going to live in fear of the royals,” Travis declared. “If they want to try and threaten us, we’ll be ready. Because at the end of the day, we’re not bowing to anyone. We’re just going to keep being ourselves, and that’s something no one can take away from us.”

With their unyielding stance, the Kelce brothers have once again shown that they aren’t afraid of a challenge—on or off the field.