5 times Princess of Wales Kate Middleton broke royal protocols

Princess Kate is known to be one of the most proper UK royals, exemplifying grace and elegance in every public appearance. However, she has occasionally broken royal protocols, revealing a more relatable and modern side. From her fashion choices to heartfelt gestures, Kate has occasionally stepped outside the traditional boundaries set by royal protocol.

For the coronation of King Charles III, Kate Middleton broke away from royal protocol when she decided not to wear a tiara. Instead, she donned a sparkling headpiece created by Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen. This choice was particularly striking since it was the first British coronation in 70 years where royals generally wear crowns or tiaras. Kate came to Westminster Abbey in a formal ivory silk crepe with floral national symbols adorning the attire and wore a blue formal robe requested by the monarch. Deciding not to wear the tiara was a trendy choice for the princess. It showed that she wanted to express herself more freely instead of just following old traditions.

In September 2023, Kate Middleton broke royal hair protocol by appearing in public with a casual ‘messy bun.’ The royal protocol for hair has traditionally been neat and tidy, so a low bun with bangs framing her face really raised quite a few eyebrows The relaxed hairstyle was quite noteworthy as it seemed to be reflective of the changing standards under King Charles III. While some applauded her modern style, many royal critics soon highlighted the seeming double standards by pointing out how Meghan Markle had been slammed for similar hairstyles when she was doing royal duties.

Kate Middleton also created a buzz when she sported bright red nail polish at an Easter event in 2023. Although there is no rule against bold nail colours, members of the royal family have always preferred more subtle or neutral shades for public appearances. This was a gesture of her embracing modern fashion trends while still upholding her royal duties.

Public displays of affection are generally avoided in royal settings as a sign of respect for tradition and conservative cultures. However, at the 76th EE BAFTA Film Awards in 2023, Kate broke this unspoken rule by playfully giving Prince William a light tap on the behind as they arrived at the event. This moment was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media. While such gestures are rare among royals, it demonstrated Kate's affectionate nature and her comfort within her role as Princess of Wales.

In another significant break from tradition, after much media speculation about why Kate Middleton was not making public appearance, in March 2024 she revealed in a video message that she was in the early stages of treatment after cancer diagnosis. This heartfelt message was groundbreaking for the royal family, known for its reserved communication style. As per Mirror, Royal biographer Robert Hardman noted that Kate's approach was unconventional; she delivered the message entirely in her own words rather than through official channels. Furthermore, she signed off not as ‘HRH The Princess of Wales,’ but simply as ‘Catherine, The Princess of Wales.’ This subtle yet meaningful change reflected her desire to connect with the public on a more personal level and deviated from the established norms of royal communication.