After two years of staycations due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, international holidays are finally back on the cards and we can't wait to jet off to sunnier climes as soon as we get the chance. Until then, we've been living vicariously through Kate Middleton and Prince William who are currently in Jamaica as part of a week-long royal tour around the Caribbean to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. From candid snaps of the couple enjoying each other's company to photos of Kate's dazzling outfits, we've been hooked on every detail of their royal trip – and we've spotted one such detail that's broken royal protocol.
ICYMI, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took to their Instagram Story yesterday to share a selfie from their visit with the Jamaican Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, captioned: "Selfie for the archives." But, the sweet snap may end up getting them in a spot of trouble with Her Majesty, as although taking selfies isn't a total rule break, it's certainly frowned upon in the Royal Family.
In fact, one royal fan who attended the Queen's 2017 Buckingham Palace garden party, revealed to Insider that taking selfies with the royals was seen as a sign of disrespect. "The one thing they talked about a lot was no selfies, and the reason was that they didn't want people turning their backs to the Royal Family and the Queen. And that was very important to them," Greg Agnew said. "You do not turn your back on the Royal Family, and you do not attempt to walk up and talk to them."
As such, members of the Royal Family often decline selfies when they're approached to take one. Take Meghan Markle for example who, according to royal journalist Victoria Murphy, told fans in 2017: "We’re not allowed to do selfies."
"Royals would always rather have a personal interaction than have people clamoring for selfies," CNN's royal commentator Victoria Arbiter told Insider. "If you grant one, then it quickly becomes overwhelming." She went on, "From a security standpoint, they’re also not ideal as they warrant a certain closeness."
However, that's not to say selfies are entirely off limits. "Royals do what feels right in any given moment," Arbiter added. "If a sick child on a hospital visit or at an awards evening asked for a selfie, most wouldn’t hesitate, but on a walkabout, they’re avoided."
So, there you have it!
