The surprising reason the Princess of Wales ‘politely’ declined one fan’s request during Welsh outing – as she follows strict royal protocol

The Princess of Wales was typically elegant as she posed for selfies and accepted daffodils and cuddles from Welsh fans yesterday – but there was one request she had to politely turn down.

Kate, 44, joined Prince William, 43, for a visit to Powys, Wales, ahead of St David’s Day as crowds of well-wishers braved the rain to meet them.

The mother-of-three was dubbed the ‘children’s princess’ after videos of Kate playing rock, paper, scissors with young fans were shared online, and a seven-year-old girl took off her own handmade necklace and tied it around the royal’s neck.

But Kate had to decline one fan’s request because of strict royal protocol. A video showed a person asking the princess for an autograph but she replied: ‘I can’t sign it, I’m so sorry.’

Instead, she offered him a handshake and a hug before moving down the line to greet others.

Like her fellow royals, Kate is bound by strict protocol not to give out her signature because of the risk of forgery.

Additionally, a royal signature can fetch a significant amount of money when sold online, so the family is keen to avoid fakes circulating.

The only time a royal has made an exception was when the King whipped out his royal Parker Pen and scribbled ‘Charles 2010’ on a scrap of paper for the victims of devastating flooding in Cornwall.

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The Princess of Wales was typically elegant as she posed for selfies and accepted daffodils and cuddles from Welsh fans yesterday – but there was one request she had to politely turn down

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A video showed a person asking the princess for an autograph but she replied: ‘I can’t sign it, I’m so sorry’

Among them were Tony and Meg Hendy – whose home in St Blazey had been deluged with water and mud.

As he said farewell to the couple, he asked them if there was anything he could do to help, and Meg replied by cheekily asking for an autograph.

She asked him: ‘Can I be really cheeky, please, sir, and can I have your autograph for my young son Tom? I’m not sure if you do autographs, but it would make his day.’

Charles then stunned his protection squad by asking one of them to find a piece of paper for him to sign. The Prince then wrote ‘CHARLES 2010’ and even apologised for the ‘shaky writing’ because he ‘never writes standing up’.

Of course, the royals often sign their names in guest books when on official duties.

Before her marriage, Kate would sign her name Catherine Middleton, but now sticks to writing her first name only.

It comes after royal fans declared the Prince and Princess’s trip to Powys a huge success after an impromptu walkabout that won the hearts of well-wishers.

William and Kate strayed from their planned itinerary seven times, as they accepted daffodils and posed for innumerable selfies on Thursday.

A sweet clip showed Kate, whose outfit was plum perfection, playing rock, paper, scissors with young fans outside an Indian takeaway restaurant close to the community centre.

The princess feigned disappointment when her rock was beaten by paper as her challenger celebrated his win.

‘They’re the kind of moments children will tell their friends about for years – proudly, excitedly – and carry with them for a lifetime,’ one X user wrote while sharing photos of Kate being embraced by a girl during a separate walkabout in Newtown.

But hugs weren’t the only thing being offered to the Prince and Princess of Wales yesterday.

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In one of the most heartwarming moments, a seven-year-old girl, Leman Wetti, gave Kate her own handmade necklace as the future Queen excitedly asked: ‘What do you think? Does it look okay?’

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As they greeted members of the public, a little girl wrapped her arms around the Princess as photos showed her burying her face inside Kate’s coat in a sweet moment

The Waleses accepted an assortment of different gifts, including an iron hook from a 21-year-old metalsmith, a box of chocolates, and laminated drawings of themselves – but could not carry a whole leg of lamb back.

In one of the most heartwarming moments of the trip, a seven-year-old girl excitedly tied a handmade necklace around Kate’s neck as Leman Wetti said: ‘I did it because I wanted to be kind.’

The Princess of Wales demonstrated her thrifty approach to dressing by re-wearing an Alexander McQueen coat today as she joined Prince William at a Welsh community event ahead of St David’s Day.

Kate, 44, teamed the stylish burgundy number with her merlot Gianvito Rossi leather boots, both of which she wore in 2024 during the Qatar state visit, as well as her matching ME+EM pussy bow blouse and her £570 CO pleated midi skirt.

Adding a touch of glitz to her colour coordinating ensemble, the mother-of-three sported her £1,600 Kiki McDonough Citrine Cushion Drop earrings.

She finished the look with a daffodils pin on one of the lapels of her coat, honouring Wales’ primary symbol which is worn on St David’s Day, the annual celebration that commemorates the patron saint of the nation.