What really happens when Royals break protocol

When the rules of royal etiquette are broken, the engagement will influence the outcome depending on the seriousness of the romp and the person responsible for the misconduct. 

Any departure from the rules of engagement can only draw attention is, at best, fought with no consequences as is, at worst, the subject of severe international headlines that leads to some form of intervention from the palace.

As an example, Princess Diana’s breach of protocol during the 1980s by hugging AIDS patients and hand shaking without gloves was seen as a “shock” by almost every any traditionalist, and placed the rules of engagement under a severe tempest.

There are breaches of etiquette that can, in some way, bring clarity to the rulse of engagement. Meghan Markle was, at best, a victim of a social engagement and, at worst, a subject of controlled criticism by the British courtiers for actions as closing the door to her own automobile and hugging Prince Harry.

The debate and criticism, highlighted in The Independent, relayed the focus on sociocultural changes that symbolise the need for a kinder engagement. In strong contract, as highlighted by The Guardian, the Prince Harry debacle in Las Vegas in 2012 was severe in public perception and in the aftermath, the engagement from the palace was seen to be controlling the rules of engagement that are supposed to be protecting the royal image.

certainly rub shoulders with national ambassadors. The Palace remains disturbed by this deviation from his new ceremonial role. The new King has yet to develop this particular aspect of his role and continues to work with the press and the political spheres that his dominion has set.”

The more extreme transgressions, like King Charles III’s vocal activism on politics prior to his accession, are more difficult. As reported in BBC News, his participation in activism was described as overstepping the boundaries of politics, which is a profession that many monarchs are anticipated to sidestep.

Much smaller gestures, such as Kate Middleton posing with fans herself or carrying her own bags, which Town and Country Magazine referenced, violate the rules in theory but are accepted to a large extent because they make her seem friendly.

In general, the violation of royal protocol neither results in punishment as understood by the traditional definition, but it can change how people view it, modify royal customs, or cause reputational injury. As The Telegraph once remarked, these regulations have less to do with discipline and more to do with preservation of the image of the Crown.