Why Kate Middleton is banned from signing autographs

IF you ever get the chance to meet someone as world-famous as Kate Middleton, chances are you might ask her for an autograph. You’d be out of luck.

IF you ever get the chance to meet someone as world-famous as Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, chances are you might ask her for an autograph.

You’d be out of luck.

Like all the royals, Middleton is technically banned from signing her autograph for fans — royal protocol forbids members of the royal family from doing so, as the signature could then be taken, reproduced and forged.

Nobody ask for an autograph. Picture: Getty

According to OK Magazine, breaks from this royal rule are rare, although requests for autographs are constant — Prince Charles usually offers “sorry, they don’t allow me to do that,” by way of explanation when asked. However, he did break protocol in 2010, signing an autograph for a flood victim.

Thankfully, the rule doesn’t extend to selfies — largely considered to have overtaken autographs as the 21st century fan’s favourite celeb request. Members of the royal family can use their discretion to decide whether or not pose for pictures with fans.

The ‘no autographs’ protocol is just one of a raft of rules and regulations put upon both the royal family and those who interact with them. These include not touching members of the royal family unless they initiate a handshake or a hug — a rule flouted by both Michelle Obama (who greeted Middleton with a hug during one much-publicised meeting) and former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, who earned the nickname ‘the lizard of Oz’ when he put his hand on Queen Elizabeth’s back during a 1992 royal visit.

The touch that shocked a nation — Paul Keting puts his arm around Queen Elizabeth.