Prince William is making noticeable efforts to modernize the royal family, even going as far as to break one of Queen Elizabeth II’s well-known unwritten rules: no selfies.
At 42, the Prince of Wales has been slowly changing royal customs by getting rid of old-fashioned formalities and making his public appearances feel more relaxed and relatable.
Prince William’s new approach on royal trip
According to Emily Ferguson, the royal editor at Express, Prince William’s solo visit to Estonia this March gave people a glimpse of his new style.
She said: “On the first day of his trip, he fully embraced the crowds and appeared to revel in the dozens of requests for selfies, happily taking people’s phones to take the snap himself.”
Emily added: “The prince always used to spend time greeting well-wishers. But never with the same enthusiasm as his father. But that’s changed in recent months. William is spending longer and longer on walkabouts and is more than happy to pose for endless pictures.”
Is the royal family allowed to take selfies?
In the past, members of the royal family usually avoided taking selfies. Queen Elizabeth II especially wasn’t a fan of them.
She felt that selfies got in the way of public events and thought they were a bit “disrespectful” compared to more traditional gestures like shaking hands.
There was no strict rule against them, but most royals would kindly turn down selfie requests.
Now, though, Prince William seems to be changing that. He’s been happily posing for selfies with fans and even taking their phones to snap the pictures himself.
This change shows that the future king understands how important it is to connect with younger generations — people who live through their phones and really value personal moments with public figures.
What are the rules of the royal family?
The royal family follows lots of rules—some official, some informal—and many come from traditions that go back hundreds of years.
Some of the most well-known rules include not giving autographs or signing anything for fans (to avoid the risk of forgery), dressing modestly and formally at public events, and showing respect to the monarch by curtseying or bowing.
They also aren’t allowed to vote or share personal political views.
In general, royals have usually kept a certain distance from the public. Things like selfies, casual hugs, or handshakes weren’t really encouraged.
But Prince William seems to be changing some of these traditions.
He’s also made changes to how royal trips abroad are handled. Instead of long state visits, he now prefers shorter trips that still have a strong impact.
This was seen during his two-day visit to Estonia.
“What you saw last week is a short, impactful trip that showcased an important issue,” a royal source told The Sunday Times. “It’s a model you’re likely to see more of.”
These quicker trips make it possible for royals to visit more countries in less time.
‘He wants to see real change’
Behind the scenes, Prince William is making changes to how the royal household works. Alastair Martin, who worked with both King Charles and William at the Duchy of Cornwall, pointed out that the two have very different ways of communicating.
According to Alastair, the prince told him to keep in touch through WhatsApp — a big shift from King Charles’ more old-school style of sticking to landline phones.
“If something has gone well or badly, I will want to tell my boss and he’ll be straight back,” Alastair continued. “That’s how [William] works. He’s very involved.”
William is also putting more energy into “projects not patronages,” meaning he’s more interested in real work than just ceremonial roles. Former Foreign Secretary William Hague spoke highly of this hands-on attitude.
“William isn’t interested in lengthy meetings or endless discussions. I’ve often heard him say, ‘There’s been too much talk, we need action,’” Hague told The Times.
“William is friendly and personable, but he is results-driven. You wouldn’t want to tell him you’ve made no progress. He wants to see real change.”
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