Here's What Kate Middleton Said When Asked to Break Royal "Rule" About Autographs

Kate Middleton is sticking to the royal rules. 

In fact, the Princess of Wales, 41, reportedly explained why she can't sign autographs during one of her recent engagements.

Kate attended the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London on May 22. During the event, Her Royal Highness, dressed in a pink ME+EM shirt dress, strolled through the gardens, took part in a children's picnic and spoke to young nature lovers. And apparently, one of the kids was hoping to obtain her autograph. 

However, Kate reportedly noted she couldn't fulfill the request. "I can't write my name," she replied before coming up with another option, per People, "but I can draw." 

And it looks like she offered a few sketches, with the outlet reporting she drew a flower for one child and a pond surrounded by plants for another. 

When asked why she couldn't sign an autograph, Kate shared, per the magazine, "My name's Catherine. I'm not allowed to write my signature, it's just one of those rules."

So why is this rule put in place? Well, according to CBS News, it's to prevent someone from forging a royal's signature. And while this protocol has been broken before, it seems members of the royal family do try to follow the rule.

It's certainly been a busy time for Kate. Earlier this month, she gave a surprise piano performance in honor of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Kate, her husband Prince William and their three children—Prince George, 9; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5—also attended the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6 followed by a series of festivities in honor of the occasion. And while it was the monarch's big day, Louis sweetly stole the show with his adorable reactions throughout the ceremony.

Ahead of the event, Kate was asked if she thought her youngest would behave.

"Yeah, I hope so," she replied in a video shared by TikTok user @catherinegulgapar. "You never quite know."