The Prince and Princess of Wales<\/a> headed to the country of their name yesterday to celebrate Wales’ upcoming St David’s Day. While there, the couple stopped by Powys and Princess Catherine<\/a> had an awkward interaction with a fan who made a request that she had to turn down \u2013 or else risk breaking a strict royal rule.<\/p>\n While doing a walkabout and greeting gathered crowds as part of a visit to the Hanging Gardens community centre, the Oriel Davis art gallery, and the Hafan yr Afon cultural centre, Kate got chatting with a man who asked her to sign an autograph.<\/p>\n In response, the poised Princess swerved the rule-breaking request and said, “I can’t sign things, I’m so sorry” and then offered up an alternative: “I can shake your hand, though.”<\/p>\n The Princess engages with the crowd in Newtown, Powys<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Catherine then ended up hugging the man and saying it was “Nice to meet you”.<\/p>\n Reports add that she later circled back to speak with the man’s daughter, too.<\/p>\n As to why<\/em> the royals can’t sign autographs, it all boils down to the fact that their external engagements are very much seen as work and stemming from a risk that their signature could be forged in future.<\/p>\n It’s not the first time the Princess has had to side-step such a request either, according to Town & Country<\/a><\/em>, back in 2023 when she met children at the Chelsea Flower Show and was again asked if she could sign her name, she replied: “I can’t write my name, but I can draw,” before suggesting she scribble a tree or a flower, to be in-keeping with the day.<\/p>\n The royal also told another child that day, “My name’s Catherine. I’m not allowed to write my signature, it’s just one of those rules.”<\/p>\nEveryone’s clicking on…<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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