The Princess of Wales politely declined a fan's autograph request during a walkabout in Wales earlier this year, citing a longstanding royal rule that prevents her from signing items while on official duty.
Kate and Prince William delighted well-wishers in February by making an unscheduled stop to greet them in torrential rain during a visit to Powys ahead of St David's Day. The pair each clutched a black umbrella and spent 25 minutes braving the downpour, chatting to supporters, including children who presented them with bunches of flowers and hand-drawn pictures. Kate handed out high-fives and hugs, while she and husband William happily posed for photos and selfies with those keen to meet them.
Polite refusal during walkabout
One man who approached Kate attempted to hand her a pen and paper, asking if she would sign an autograph. She politely declined, telling him: "I can't sign things, I'm so sorry. I can shake your hand, though." The pair instead shared a brief hug before she posed for a photograph with him.
This isn't the first occasion Kate has referenced the rule preventing her from signing items while on official duty. Back in 2023 at the Chelsea Flower Show, she toured the grounds alongside a group of inquisitive schoolchildren. At one point, Kate and the youngsters explored the Royal Entomological Society's garden, attempting to identify insects and sketching what they found.
Rule explained
Eager to take home a lasting memento, some of the children asked the princess to sign their drawings. She told them: "My name's Catherine. I'm not allowed to write my signature, it's just one of those rules." Not wishing to leave the children without a memento, she sketched several drawings for them – among them a flower, a tree, and a pond nestled amongst plants.
According to the Daily Mail, a royal signature can bring in "a significant amount of money when sold online," and the Royal Family doesn't want fake signatures of its members circulating.
One exception to the rule
There was only one exception to this rule according to the publication — when King Charles, then Prince Charles, signed "Charles 2010" on a scrap of paper for victims of flooding in Cornwall, when he was still the Duke of Cornwall. Charles asked Tony and Meg Hendy if there was anything he could do to help after their home had flooded. Meg asked the then-future king for an autograph for her son, Tom, telling him, "I'm not sure if you do autographs, but it would make his day."
Charles then broke royal protocol and "stunned his protection squad," by asking them to find a piece of paper for him to sign. Charles even apologised for his "shaky writing" because he "never writes standing up." While the royals don't sign autographs for individuals, they're well known for signing guest books at official royal engagements.
