Royal Rule Breaking

Royal families are famous for upholding tradition and doing things by the book. But they are human, after all, and even the most proper monarchs have been known to let their hair down or push the boundaries every now and then. With that in mind, here are 20 times the royals broke rules.

Series: Reagan White House Photographs, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 Collection: White House Photographic Collection, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 on Wikimedia

1. Bowing as the Queen

Queen Elizabeth broke royal protocol and bowed her head to Princess Diana's coffin. The Queen made the poignant gesture as the carriage bearing Diana's body passed during her funeral. Queen Elizabeth was standing next to Princess Margaret when she bent her head in respect. The Queen never did this before or since for anyone. This was the first and only time a monarch has ever publicly bowed for another person.

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2. Touching Victims

In 1987, Princess Diana defied royal protocol when she shook hands with an AIDS patient, at a time when the condition was feared and stigmatized. In an era when many shunned physical contact, Diana offered compassion unguarded by gloves or a mask. Her act publicly challenged misconceptions and advocated for the dignity, respect, and understanding of people living with the ailment.

Series: Reagan White House Photographs, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 Collection: White House Photographic Collection, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 on Wikimedia

3. Flying Around

Prince William violated royal protocol by flying with his son, Prince George. Direct heirs of the throne are not supposed to fly together, as it is considered a security risk. The rules surrounding the line of succession can be relaxed when younger children are involved, as it is understood babies need the comfort of a parent during a flight. As Prince George matures, he will likely be required to fly alone due to the stringent rules surrounding royal travel.

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4. A Hug

Prince William has been known to hug members of the public even though members of the royal family are meant to avoid physical contact with strangers. On a few occasions, he has put aside convention to hug a member of the public, in the same way his mother, Princess Diana, was known to do. He hugged a bereaved woman at the Grenfell Tower fire and during the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush in Wales.

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5. Michelle Obama

In 2009, Michelle Obama violated royal protocol by placing her arm around Queen Elizabeth in public. The First Lady later wrote in her memoir that they were two women just worn out from a long day in heels. The Queen's reaction to the embrace was seen as one of warmth and mutual respect, making it a special and extraordinary moment.

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6. LGBT+ Bars

Diana flouted the royal "rule" of staying out after dark and went clubbing at gay pubs in Soho, well outside the normal haunts of a royal. Dressed in sunglasses, a cap, and an army jacket, she visited Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett for drinks before joining them, dancing and cavorting the night away. It demonstrated the princess's impulsive streak, as well as her willingness to bend the rules.

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7. Revenge Dress

A summer 1994 image of Princess Diana wearing the controversial off-the-shoulder "revenge dress" to a Vanity Fair party was a snub to royal expectations. The princess was in a defining moment of empowerment, where the dress she chose defied archaic royal dress codes. The choice of the dress, in light of Charles's publicized affairs, was dubbed her "revenge" dress, making history with her independence.

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8. Queen's Autograph

In 1998, Queen Elizabeth II flouted royal protocol by signing a football for Malaysian Manchester United fans in Kuala Lumpur. Royals are banned from signing items in case forgeries are produced. The football autograph represents a rare unguarded moment from the Queen.

Joel Rouse/ Ministry of Defence on Wikimedia

9. Refusing the Shoot

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not follow royal protocol when they did not have a photo call in the hospital's Lindo Wing after the birth of their child. They did not take the traditional photograph outside the doors of St. Mary's Hospital, as past royals have. They decided to take time as a family and make the announcement about the birth at a later time.

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10. Eugenie’s Short Dress

Princess Eugenie defied royal fashion by wearing a mini, light blue Gainsbourg gown to Prince Harry's 2018 wedding. Though royals have worn shorter dresses in the past, the length of Eugenie's gown at this high-profile event was considered bold. The look was noted for being a fashionable and confident departure from royal wedding norms.

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11. In the Name of Love

Edward VIII caused a constitutional crisis by abdicating the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee whom the government considered an inappropriate choice for Queen Consort. He reigned for 326 days, one of the shortest reigns for a British monarch, and remains the only British monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne.

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12. Eating Oysters

King Charles flouted royal protocol by eating oysters at the 2013 Whitstable Oyster Festival in Kent. Oysters have been on the royal no-no list because of health risks from parasites or food poisoning.

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13. Prince George’s Outfit

Prince George became the first royal child to wear long trousers at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, breaking the royal rule that boys under eight should wear shorts. Royals have always worn shorts for public events, even the Sandringham Christmas walkabouts, which take place in the winter. Younger royals have worn shorts for as long as anyone can remember, so the Prince's decision to coordinate with the formal trousers of his father and uncle was a rare, but very stylish, breach of the rule.

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14. Marrying a Divorcee

Prince Harry married divorcee Meghan Markle, but not before he received the Queen's approval. It had long been the royal tradition for a family member not to marry someone who had been married before. This could have been a royal roadblock for a direct heir. Harry and Meghan's marriage was a more modernized version of the protocol.

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15. Kate Middleton’s Hair

Kate Middleton flouted royal protocol with a more casual hairstyle in September 2023. Instead of a neat bun, ponytail, or wavy locks, she chose a sleek and informal chignon. The shift hinted that some of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s strict hair rules might have been eased by King Charles.

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16. Normal School

Princess Diana flouted tradition by sending her sons, Prince William and later Prince Harry, to a "normal" school instead of being educated entirely by private tutors. William thus became the first heir to the modern British throne to start his education outside the home. By doing so, Diana defied convention and put the social development of her children first.

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17. Diana’s School Race

Princess Diana kicked off her shoes and ran barefoot for a school sports day race in 1991. Royals are expected not to be seen in public without their shoes on, but she did this to have some fun. It was a rebellious but childish act, and she lost the race.

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18. The Wedding Guestlist

Queen Elizabeth II herself, despite a reputation for being extremely protocol-driven, relaxed the rules when it came to her grandson Prince William's 2011 wedding. The traditional guest list is limited to the family's royally significant connections, but the Queen told her grandson to put his friends first. Elizabeth's desire to put personal choice and family priorities ahead of formality revealed her progressive nature.

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19. Meghan Markle’s Nails

Meghan Markle once again flouted royal etiquette by wearing dark nail polish to the British Fashion Awards. The late Queen is said to have insisted that royal women wear neutral or light shades, like her favorite Ballet Slippers by Essie. Meghan's dark polish was an indication of a new royal era, and one that other royals, like Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, have kept.

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20. Turning Up Late

Prince William and Kate Middleton snubbed royal protocol after they were late to the 2018 Easter service. As the Head of the Church, the monarch always traditionally arrives last at the royal Easter service. The royal couple’s lateness flouted the royal family’s strict arrival order.

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