I am in a production of The Lion In Winter.  King Phillip, of France,
enters a room where Queen Eleanor of England (married to Henry II) 
is seated.  It is their first meeting.  He is young - 17 years old. 
She is 53.  She is a powerful woman - doesn't care much about who she
impresses, but is always concerned about future alliances.  Would she
hold out her hand to him?  Would she stand?  The year is 1183.

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 14 Oct 2005 08:41 PDT

In spite of royal etiquette, I would say no, the Queen would likley
not extend such a welcome for the simple reason that Philip was the
brother of Alais Capet, the mistress of Eleanor's husband King Henry
II. Alais, as you may already know, was in part the reason why Henry
kept Eleanor in prison much of the time. Because of this close (and
somewhat complicated) relationship between Alias, Henry and Philip I
would imagine the meeting would have been quite cold to say the least.
To further magnify the ill feelings, Philip had hopes of marrying his
sister Alais to Eleanor's son Richard to solidify the alliance between
England and France. While this may be distasteful to Eleanor, her
meeting with Philip is a matter of necessity because she is determined
to get back at Henry for loving Alais (whom Eleanor raised as a
surrogate daughter).

It is almost certain that Eleanor (as any woman would) feels betrayed
by all involved and probably views her meeting with Philip as the
lesser of many evils. My guess is that the greeting/meeting was
painfully formal and Philip, on presentation, may have simply lowered
his glance momentarily while standing, which might have been met by an
acknowledging nod by the Queen.

Does an OPINION such as this answer your question?

tutuzdad-ga

Tutuzdad has found a different side of the situation than I did, which
is very interesting and quite valid  - and perhaps contradicts what I
texted before I could post it, namely:
From the biographical information on this site (also a link to
screenplay),  I doubt that Eleanor would have risen in the presence of
Phillip II.  She was three times his age, Queen of England  - though
estranged -  and had been the consort of Louis VII, his father  - 
Phillip?s stepmother, so to speak, and her own possession of Aquitaine
made her major political player in her own right.  Although she
had/was supporting her sons? cooperation with Phillip, I think her
self-esteem would have precluded her rising in his presence.
Offering her hand?  Apparently the dialogue leaves this open.  In
light of the cooperation with her sons, I think she would have, not
imperiously, but in a manner to show her recognition, bridging the gap
between her not rising but still being a supporter of the cooperation.

At least Tutuzdad and I are agreed that Eleanor would not have risen.

I am no expert (but I learned a bit of early French history  ;)
Myoarin 
http://www.answers.com/topic/eleanor-of-aquitaine
http://www.answers.com/topic/philip-ii-of-france