Why young royals drive themselves to events

You’d think with all their money Harry and Meghan would be chauffeured 24/7, but there’s a surprisingly normal reason why they drive themselves to events.

With their titles and wealth, you wouldn’t be alone in thinking it was normal for members of the royal family to have a chauffeur always on standby.

But as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle proved this week, you’re more likely to spot them in the driver’s seat than having their door opened for them.

On Wednesday, Harry drove himself and Meghan to a party for Prince Charles’ 70th birthday at Buckingham Palace, as did Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at Buckingham Palace. Picture: Nick Ansell

According to one expert on royal protocol, the decision about when the royals hop behind the wheel all comes down to whether the event is a public or private engagement.

“Modern royalty tend to drive themselves to private parties and engagements because it is exactly that — a private event,” etiquette expert William Hanson told Mail Online.

The reasoning explains why Harry drove Meghan to their evening wedding event, which was closed off to the public.

But increasingly the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to be using more “normal” methods to get to and from royal engagements.

William and Kate also drove themselves to the event. Picture: Dominic Lipinski

The newlyweds drove an E-Type Jaguar after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House. Picture: Steve Parsons

In September, commuters were whipped into a frenzy when Meghan and Harry were spotted — brace yourself — catching a train after an event at Loughborough University.

Bizarrely sharing my train with Harry & Meghan today 🤷‍♂️ #LoughboroughToLeicester pic.twitter.com/wStziRomMU

— Jonny Norton (@JonnyNorton_) September 24, 2018

In a video shared to Twitter, the royal couple could be seen walking through Loughborough station hand-in-hand while surrounded by minders and security.

Meanwhile, Meghan took things even further (according to some on social media) when she shut her own car door at her first solo event in London.