Kate Middleton has sparked a flurry of online chatter after appearing to break royal protocol during a recent formal engagement at Windsor Castle – and fans are absolutely here for it.
The Princess of Wales was filmed arriving solo ahead of hosting a reception for the (triumphant!) England Women’s rugby team, known as the Red Roses, casually pulling up herself, rather than being driven by a chauffeur or accompanied by a hefty security team.
Oh, and the bit that’s really got fans talking? The Princess of Wales exited the car wearing stilettos, looking completely cool and calm as she made her way inside. Yep, while many of us struggle to even walk in a heel, it seems the future Queen can not only do that but drive in them too.
Everyone’s clicking on…
The clip quickly made the rounds on social media, with X users praising the moment as evidence that Kate is still just as down-to-earth as ever; although there’s no formal rule stating royals must be driven everywhere, senior members of the family are usually accompanied by security and staff, particularly at official appearances. The Princess’ decision to drive herself struck many as a subtle (but deliberate) break from tradition.
“This is why people love her,” one fan commented. “She just gets on with it.”
Another wrote: “Driving herself in heels? Iconic behaviour.”
Royal watchers have long noted Kate’s ability to balance tradition with modernity, and this moment only added fuel to that narrative. From re-wearing outfits to speaking openly about motherhood and mental health, she has often won praise for quietly updating what royal life can look like.
Elsewhere, Kate and her husband, Prince William, are set to travel up to Scotland next week, which some have pointed out is *interesting* timing given that Prince Harry will be returning to London for a court case against Associated Newspapers Limited.
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Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK’s multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She’s grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.