Princess Kate Sums Up What It’s Like a Be a Princess in Just Five Words

She also subtly confirmed this long speculated about rule surrounding royal protocol.

Princess of Wales at the Chelsea Flower Show
(Image credit: Getty)
Rachel Burchfield
By Rachel Burchfield
published

The Princess of Wales visited the Chelsea Flower Show yesterday—a longtime favorite event of royals, especially Her late Majesty. Wearing bright pink and looking truly—and appropriately—like a princess, Kate answered questions from schoolchildren who were also there touring the attractions, including this adorable question from a little girl: What is being a princess like?

“You have to work hard,” Kate said, per The Mirror. Pressed as to what exactly the royal family does, Kate replied “They help support all the different people in the country, showcase all the amazing work being done, and look after everyone.” One adorably curious kiddo asked her if she made the law, to which she diplomatically responded “The Prime Minister makes the laws.” 

Princess of Wales at the Chelsea Flower Show

(Image credit: Getty)

As Marie Claire reported earlier today, Kate also revealed what she’ll do first as Queen when it is her time, and subtly confirmed that, indeed, royals aren’t allowed to sign autographs. People reports that “the Princess of Wales politely refrained from signing an autograph while spending time with schoolchildren during a surprise visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London on Monday.” When some schoolchildren asked Kate to sign her autograph, she responded “I can’t write my name, but I can draw.” She then went on to draw a flower for one student, a tree for another, and a pond surrounded by plants for a third child.

Princess of Wales at the Chelsea Flower Show

(Image credit: Getty)

When asked again about why she couldn’t sign her name, Kate explained “My name’s Catherine. I’m not allowed to write my signature. It’s just one of those rules.”

The reason, The Daily Express explains, is to avoid the risk of forgery. 

Rachel Burchfield
Rachel Burchfield
Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor

Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more. 

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