No political opinions

It is widely known that the royals are expected to remain politically neutral, or at least not publicise their opinions on politics. While Kate probably voted before she tied the knot with Wills, it’s believed she no longer does. Prince Harry confirmed he had never voted in the UK during a TV broadcast of the 2020 TIME 100 unveiling in 2021. Since moving to the US, Meghan has decided to vote and publicly shared the fact on her and Harry’s charitable foundation website Archewell. In a picture posted to the site, a smiling Meghan was seen wearing a baseball cap and a ‘I voted’ sticker.

Royal baby protocol

After the births of their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, new parents Wills and Kate followed the expected protocol of having a photograph taken by the press on the steps of the hospital. They also had a royal christening, in which a traditional gown handed down through the generations, was worn by the babies.

When Meghan and Harry welcomed Archie in 2019, they went against the usual protocol. Instead of the photocall at the hospital, they invited a select few photographers to Windsor Castle two days after the birth. There was also no public christening. When their second child Lilibet Diana was born in 2021, they had already left their royal roles and her arrival was kept entirely private.

Rules of fashion

Royal ladies are expected to wear hats to formal occasions during the day, such as a wedding and tiaras for events in the evening, such as a state banquet. Meghan, who has said she favours a casual approach to fashion and was barefoot in ripped jeans when she first met Kate and William, was criticised for her first engagement with the Queen in 2018.

She chose not to wear a hat, which according to royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, raised eyebrows. Since leaving The Firm, Meghan, who once revealed she wore a lot of neutrals because she wasn’t allowed to wear the same colour as the Queen or other senior royals, has been free to wear whatever she likes.

No selfies

On her first walkabout meeting members of the public in 2017, Meghan declined a selfie with a fan and told them “we’re not allowed”. Since leaving their roles, Harry and Meghan have been seen happily taking selfies with the public – most recently on their trip to Nigeria and in a video on the Archwell website. However, Kate has also broken the rule. On an engagement in Leeds last year, the Princess of Wales allowed a ‘nervous’ fan to take a selfie with her, telling him, “it’s OK, we all get nervous”.