Princess Charlotte’s Christmas Selfie Explained by Royal Etiquette Expert
Princess Charlotte captured the hearts of many during the royal family’s annual Christmas Day walk at Sandringham, notably for her willingness to take a Christmas selfie with a member of the public. This moment, which gained viral traction on TikTok, highlights a shift in royal protocols regarding selfies, as explained by a royal etiquette expert. The evolving norms are shedding light on how younger royals like Charlotte are adapting to modern interactions while still embracing their royal heritage.
Princess Charlotte’s Christmas Walk Selfie Goes Viral
This year marked the second consecutive Christmas Day walk for Princess Charlotte alongside her family—Prince William, Kate Middleton, and her brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis. As they made their way to St. Mary Magdalene Church, Charlotte engaged with the crowd, accepting gifts and exchanging brief pleasantries.
In the now-famous TikTok video, a well-wisher asked, “Can we have a photo with you?” In a delightful display of charm, Charlotte responded enthusiastically, saying, “Yes,” before stepping closer to pose for the selfie. Her father, Prince William, called to her, prompting Charlotte to respond, “I’m coming,” as she quickly rejoined the family.
For the second consecutive year, this Christmas selfie caught public attention, showcasing one of the royal family’s most observed traditions. Alongside Charlotte’s candid moment, her brothers also made headlines—Prince Louis received a chocolate egg from a well-wisher, while Prince George paused to talk about their late grandmother, Princess Diana. Charlotte’s outfit, a taupe Catherine Walker coat paired with a red dress, drew comparisons to her mother’s early royal looks, further reinforcing the family’s enduring style legacy.
Shifting Royal Protocols on Selfies
Traditionally, royal etiquette frowned upon selfies with senior royals. However, Richard Fitzwilliams, a noted royal commentator, explained to Reader’s Digest that there has been a noticeable relaxation of this rule. “Selfies with royals would have been an etiquette faux pas until not long ago,” he stated. “But things have started to relax in recent years, and we’ve seen the royal family break protocol with this rule now and then.”
Despite this shift, Fitzwilliams emphasized that the default expectation for selfies remains a cautious “no,” unless specific circumstances warrant an exception. “It’s something that is not done generally unless there’s a specific reason for the picture,” he noted. In such cases, royals might opt to accommodate requests for photos.
Notably, Prince William has embraced selfies in recent years, including a widely circulated image taken with Taylor Swift and other family members at a concert. This snapshot signifies a broader trend, illustrating how the royal family is adapting to modern social interactions while balancing tradition.
A Future of Approachability
The willingness of younger royals like Princess Charlotte to engage with the public reflects a potential shift in royal family dynamics. Prince William has been pivotal in setting this trend, favoring a more approachable image for the monarchy. As we observe the changing landscape of royal interactions, Princess Charlotte’s Christmas selfie serves as an emblem of this evolving relationship between the royals and the public.
