While many imagine the life of Princess Catherine as a fairy tale, filled with glamour and grace, the reality behind the royal facade is far more complex.

Beneath the pomp and pageantry of her high-profile role lies a strict set of royal protocols and expectations that dictate nearly every aspect of her life.

From fashion choices to daily routines, here are some of the less-known rules that Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, must adhere to as she fulfills her royal duties.

Royal family members are prohibited from giving autographs to fans or well-wishers.

The primary reason for this is to prevent the forging of royal signatures, which could be used for fraudulent purposes. Princess Catherine once explained this rule to a 7-year-old girl at the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show when the child asked for her autograph. “My name’s Catherine. I’m not allowed to write my signature—it’s just one of those rules,” she explained. However, to soften the disappointment, she drew a flower for the girl, demonstrating her warmth and generosity.

For royal women like Catherine, the use of makeup is meant to be natural and understated. Excessive makeup or bold, experimental colors are avoided in favor of a more neutral look. Similarly, Catherine’s manicures must be kept simple, with nude or subdued shades.

The princess has followed these rules strictly, with the first instance of deviation occurring this past Easter when she was spotted with bright red nail polish, a bold choice for the usually conservative royal standards.

While Princess Catherine enjoys spending time shopping for groceries and visiting boutiques, she is never permitted to do so alone. A strict rule requires her to be accompanied by security personnel whenever she leaves the palace, due to safety concerns.