The big difference between Princess Kate and Princess Anne

Princess Kate and Princess Anne, despite their close familial bond, exhibit distinct approaches when interacting with the public during royal engagements. The Princess of Wales is known for her warm and approachable demeanor, often shaking hands with royal fans during walkabouts. In contrast, the Princess Royal adheres to a more traditional protocol, refraining from handshakes with the public.

This divergence in approach stems from Princess Anne’s upbringing, where she followed the example set by her late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. In a 2018 ITV documentary titled “Queen of the World,” Princess Anne shed light on this practice, stating, “We never shook hands. The theory was that you couldn’t shake hands with everybody, so don’t start. So I kind of stick with that, but I notice others don’t.”

While the two princesses share a close relationship, their contrasting styles when meeting the public highlight the evolving nature of royal traditions and the personal preferences of individual members of the royal family.

Princess Anne, the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, provided an insightful perspective on the evolving nature of royal walkabouts and interactions with the public. She expressed her view that the initial concept of walkabouts was intended as an opportunity for the royals to engage with people directly, rather than merely shaking hands or posing for photographs.

Anne acknowledged that the younger members of the royal family, such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, seem more comfortable with posing for selfies during public engagements. However, she personally finds the prevalence of phones and tablets during these interactions to be a hindrance, as it creates a barrier between the royals and the individuals they are trying to connect with.

The Princess Royal highlighted her preference for genuine conversations and personal interactions during walkabouts, rather than simply posing for photographs. She expressed her belief that people often prioritize capturing the moment through photographs over truly experiencing and appreciating the event itself.

Overall, Princess Anne’s comments provide an informative perspective on the changing dynamics of royal engagements and the challenges posed by the ubiquity of technology in modern society.

Queen Elizabeth II and her daughter, Kate Middleton, shared differing perspectives on the use of technology during public engagements. In 2014, US ambassador Matthew Barzun revealed that the Queen considered it impolite for well-wishers to be looking at their screens instead of making eye contact when she made public appearances. She found the selfie trend “disconcerting” and “strange,” as it hindered direct interaction.

However, Kate delighted fans earlier this year by posing for a series of selfies with the England rugby squad in their changing room. While some of the candid snapshots were less flattering than her typical photo shoots, they captured the Princess laughing, giving a thumbs-up, and even closing her eyes in one picture. These informal images were shared on Twitter by England player Maro Itoje, showcasing Kate’s willingness to embrace technology and connect with fans in a more casual manner.