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Piers Morgan on LeBron James Breaking Royal Protocol: “You Do Not Put Your Sweaty Arm” on Kate Middleton

Piers Morgan
Piers Morgan tells LeBron James you don't touch Kate Middleton!

Hands off! LeBron James took it upon himself to place his arm around Kate Middleton during a photo op following his team’s win over the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Monday, Dec. 8, and according to Piers Morgan, you “do not touch the royals!”

Related: PHOTOS: Kate's chic second pregnancy

“You do not put your arm around the future Queen of England!” the British CNN host, seemingly joking, said during an appearance on Rachael Ray on Tuesday, Dec. 9. “You do not touch a member of the royal family unless they ask you to touch them or extend their hand.”

Prince William Kate Middleton Lebron James nice shot

Related: PHOTOS: Kate and William's marriage

Morgan’s message was directed at the NBA baller, who gifted the royal couple with an adorable mini jersey with Prince George‘s name on it. “LeBron James, you may call yourself King James — you are not a real king,” Morgan said. “Prince William is going to be my King, that was his wife — hands off the Duchess….Do not touch the royals! They are immortal creatures. If they extend a hand, you gently touch it and say, ‘Hello.’ You do not put your sweaty arm, after a game of basketball, around a member of the royal family.”

kate and william with lebron
Prince William and Kate Middleton pose with basketball player LeBron James backstage as the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets game at Barclays Center on December 8, 2014 in Brooklyn, New York

Although some royal watchers are in a huff over the incident, a source close to the royal couple tells Us Weekly that James didn’t actually break any “set” rules.

Related: PHOTOS: What Kate wore last time in the states

“No offense was taken at all,” the insider tells Us. “There is no such thing as set protocol. It is always suggested that people act in a way that is comfortable to them. [The Duke and Duchess] really enjoyed last night’s game and were delighted to have the opportunity to meet LeBron James.”

Related: PHOTOS: Kate's royal tour style

Middleton and Prince William also got the opportunity to meet Hollywood royalty Beyonce and Jay Z at the sporting event, which marked their first-ever NBA game.

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