Queen Camilla’s recent interaction with fans has left many wondering if the monarchy is finally loosening its grip on strict etiquette.
While the royal family is known for adhering to strict rules, Queen Camilla, 77, was spotted breaking one of these protocols while on a tour of Australia and Samoa with her husband, King Charles.
On October 20, 2024, while visiting St. Thomas’s Anglican Church in Sydney, the Queen Consort took selfies with the crowd—a move that caught the attention of many.
While there are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting a member of the royal family, tradition still holds strong. For men, a simple neck bow is customary, while women may offer a small curtsy. Others opt for a handshake.
However, selfies, though not officially banned, have long been discouraged by the royal family. As CCN Royal Commentator Victoria Arbiter explains, “Royals would always rather have a personal interaction than have people clamoring for selfies.”
Victoria also pointed out the potential pitfalls of granting selfie requests. “If you grant one, then it quickly becomes overwhelming,” she noted. Security concerns also come into play, given the proximity required for a selfie.
Prince Harry, in particular, is known for avoiding selfies. Still, there is no hard-and-fast rule against selfies. Royals tend to handle each situation as it comes. However, there are exceptions in special cases, such as when a sick child requests one during a hospital visit.
But during walkabouts, where royals greet large public crowds, selfies are usually avoided, to keep things moving smoothly. Queen Camilla’s decision to take selfies during her recent tour of Australia wasn’t just a spontaneous gesture. It also highlighted a shift in how some members of the royal family are embracing modern fan interactions.
But Camilla isn’t the only one bending the rules. Prince William has also joined in on this more relaxed approach to royal engagements. Back in March 2024, during an official royal duty, William paused to take a selfie with a fan.
The moment was captured on video and shared by royal correspondent Richard Palmer on X. In the post, Richard’s caption reflected the evolving attitude towards selfies.
When selfies first became a thing, members of the Royal Family hated them. The late Queen also got fed up with mobile phones interfering with how she met the public. But William and others now embrace them. Here he is posing for a selfie with Leigh Stinchcombe, 33, in Sheffield. pic.twitter.com/UOjQCjp3Mp
— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) March 19, 2024
He wrote, “When selfies first became a thing, members of the Royal Family hated them. The late Queen also got fed up with mobile phones interfering with how she met the public. But William and others now embrace them. Here he is posing for a selfie with Leigh Stinchcombe, 33, in Sheffield.”
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