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.