7 Times the Royals Completely Ignored Their Own Rules (2 of 4)

Harry and Meghan holding hands

Royal couples are not technically prohibited from public displays of affection, but working royal appearances are usually treated more like official business than date night. Unlike Prince William and Catherine, Harry and Meghan have always seemed much more tactile in public.

This one time, during their 2019 Africa tour, William and Catherine were seen holding hands in broad daylight. Such a risque move. Do these royals have no shame? Next thing we know, they’ll be showing off their ankles! But all jokes aside, the hand-holding wasn’t as egregious as some fans made it out to be. But in a world where rules are rules, regardless of what you think, it was a pretty serious infraction.

Princess Diana made black glamorous

Princess Diana read the fashion rulebook and said, “I have figured it out.” One of the clearest examples was her love of black dresses. Traditionally, black has been strongly associated with mourning, not just in royal fashion but in most cultures and countries. Royals even have to travel with a black outfit packed, just in case a death occurs while they are away. However, Diana transformed that negative perception.

One of her most famous black looks came in 1985, when she visited the White House and got down on the dance floor with John Travolta. Her Victor Edelstein gown became so iconic that people still call it the “Travolta dress.” Diana also hated wearing gloves, avoided hats, and generally made royal dress code feel like a suggestion, not a requirement.