It’s no secret that the British royal family has to follow some pretty strict protocols and rules in public. In a now-infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle shared how her mental health had suffered back when she lived in the palace.
The former actress compared living in the palace to the global lockdown during Covid. “There was little I was allowed to do,” she had said, claiming that she could not meet her friends as The Firm had deemed her “oversaturated” in the media and advised her to lay low for some time.
While Markle put her mental health ahead of her duties as a royal by marriage, her sister-in-law Kate Middleton is still an active member of The Firm.
Here are some of the rules she has to follow as a royal…
She cannot vote
As a member of the royal family, Middleton isn’t allowed to exercise her basic right as a citizen of the country. She cannot vote in any elections and is also barred from expressing any political views in public. Royal protocol demands her, and other members of the family, to be completely impartial when speaking on political subjects in public. According to the official website, this is more of a convention, rather than a law.
No selfies
While we don’t know whether Middleton was ever fond of clicking duck-faced selfies, back when they were all anyone could think of, she has to give up the right as a royal. She cannot have a personal social media account and cannot pose for selfies with her fans.
No casual touches
The fact that unnecessary physical contact is frowned upon by The Firm explains why most of Middleton’s photos with Prince William look as if they’re awkward teenagers out on a date. While it’s not forbidden, casual physical contact is frowned upon. The most acceptable form of greeting the royal could be a nod or a firm handshake.
Dress modestly
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you would never see Kate Middleton rock a pair of denim cut-offs in public. Female members of the royal family face more scrutiny than their male counterparts in public. This is why it’s customary for her to dress modestly in public, with her skirts always hitting the knee. She is also required to wear a hat to all formal events and keep her coat on in public.
Always curtsy
Following Queen Elizabeth’s demise a few months ago, Middleton has moved up the ranks in the royal family. But she is still required to curtsy in front of members who rank higher than her.
