Prince William broke Queen's unofficial royal family 'rule' by taking a selfie
The Prince of Wales is on a mission to modernise the monarchy
Prince William is taking big strides to modernise the royal family, including breaking one of Queen Elizabeth II’s long-standing unofficial rules: no selfies.
The Prince of Wales, 42, has been gradually reshaping royal traditions by scrapping outdated formalities and making public engagements feel more personal and approachable.
Prince William’s new approach on royal trip
According to the Express‘ royal editor Emily Ferguson, William’s recent solo trip to Estonia in March showcased his fresh approach.
She said: “On the first day of his trip, he fully embraced the crowds and appeared to revel in the dozens of requests for selfies, happily taking people’s phones to take the snap himself.”
“The prince always used to spend time greeting well-wishers. But never with the same enthusiasm as his father,” Emily continued. “But that’s changed in recent months. William is spending longer and longer on walkabouts and is more than happy to pose for endless pictures.”
Read more: Strict rules the royal family follows – from heirs travelling apart to avoiding shellfish
Is the royal family allowed to take selfies?
Traditionally, members of the royal family avoided selfies. Queen Elizabeth II, in particular, discouraged them.
She believed that they disrupted the flow of public engagements and were seen as “disrespectful” compared to traditional greetings like handshakes.
While there was never an official ban, royals often politely declined selfie requests.
But Prince William has now clearly signalled a break from that tradition, happily taking selfies with fans and even handling their phones himself.
This shift suggests the future king recognises the importance of connecting with a generation that lives through their smartphones and values personal interaction with public figures.
What are the rules of the royal family?
The royal family follows a wide range of formal and informal rules, many rooted in centuries of tradition.
Some well-known royal protocols include no autographs or signing memorabilia (to prevent forgery), dress codes requiring modest, formal attire at public events and curtseying or bowing to the monarch.
Royals are also forbidden from voting or expressing political opinions.
For the most part, royals maintained limited physical contact with the public. Selfies, casual hugs, and handshakes were traditionally discouraged
However, Prince William’s changes show that some of these customs are evolving.
William has also reportedly made changes to how international royal tours are handled. The Prince has been opting for shorter, more impactful trips rather than lengthy state visits.
This was showcased during his two-day visit to Estonia.
“What you saw last week is a short, impactful trip that showcased an important issue,” a royal source told The Sunday Times. “It’s a model you’re likely to see more of.”
The shorter trips will allow royals to connect with more countries in a shorter time.
‘He wants to see real change’
Behind the scenes, William is also reshaping royal operations. Alastair Martin, who has worked under both King Charles and William at the Duchy of Cornwall, noted the difference in communication styles.
Alastair explained that the prince had instructed him to stay in contact over WhatsApp.
This move marked a sharp contrast to King Charles’ more traditional method of using landline numbers.
“If something has gone well or badly, I will want to tell my boss and he’ll be straight back,” Alastair continued. “That’s how [William] works. He’s very involved.”
William has also emphasised a focus on “projects not patronages,” prioritising action over ceremonial duties. Former Foreign Secretary William Hague praised William’s proactive mindset.
“William isn’t interested in lengthy meetings or endless discussions. I’ve often heard him say, ‘There’s been too much talk, we need action,'” Hague told The Times.
“William is friendly and personable, but he is results-driven. You wouldn’t want to tell him you’ve made no progress. He wants to see real change.”
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