Four surprising things the Royal Family are banned from doing on social media
A privacy expert touches down on the four things the royals can't do on social media, while he also reveals one thing Meghan Markle recently did which sparked controversy.
Royal Family should use social media to project voice more
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The Royal Family are banned from doing very normal things we can all do on social media, a privacy expert has claimed.
Whilst being a member of the Firm may be the utmost privilege for some, the perk comes with a few disadvantages.
Social media plays a huge part in our daily life now and royals are no exception as they also have accounts on various platforms to reach a wider audience, like last Tuesday, when the Prince and Princess of Wales posted a new adorable picture of Prince Louis to mark his sixth birthday.
But like all things Royal Family, they have several strict rules they must follow.
Here, Express.co.uk takes a look at the four rules as Earthweb privacy expert Trevor Cooke compiles some of the activities that are off-limits for the royals on social media.
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Selfies and personal social media accounts
Although technically taking or posing for a selfie is not a breach of royal protocol, it is something that is generally discouraged and was even frowned upon by the late Queen Elizabeth.
Prince William and Princess Kate have not adhered to this rule on multiple occasions and they mingled and chatted with royal fans during royal engagements.
Royals are also not allowed to have their own personal social media accounts.
The privacy expert said: "While such interactions may seem innocuous, they can blur the boundaries between royalty and the public, potentially undermining the dignity and mystique of the monarchy.
"Additionally, personal social media accounts could pose security risks and lead to accidental breaches of protocol."
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Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! ??????
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) April 23, 2024
Thank you for all the kind wishes today.
?????? The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/TxshrI3WKO
Brand promotions and endorsements
Royal Family members are not allowed to advertise or associate themselves with brand partnerships and endorsements like any other influencers or celebrities can do.
According to the royal website, members of the Firm are not allowed to promote or endorse any product, service, or company.
This restriction aims to uphold the impartiality and integrity of the monarchy, preventing any perception of favouritism or commercial influence.
Political expression
The royals are expected to remain politically neutral at all times, as that could compromise the monarchy's impartiality and raise concerns about them having undue influence on the UK’s democratic processes.
As such, royals must refrain from engaging in political discourse on social media.
Mr Cooke commented: "While most of us are entitled to express our political views freely on social media, members of the royal family are expected to remain politically neutral."
Photography in certain locations
Members of the Firm are also not allowed to take any photographs in certain sensitive or private locations, including royal residences.
This restriction is in place to protect the Royal Family's privacy and security and prevent unauthorised access to sensitive areas.
While we commoners may freely document our surroundings, royals must adhere to strict protocols to maintain confidentiality and decorum.
How Meghan Markle sparked social media controversy with lifestyle brand
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle recently sparked controversy with the launch of her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
The Duchess of Sussex soft launched her latest business venture last month by dropping a new Instagram page for it, which featured the brand's logo, a bio that said "by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex" and linked to a website where people can join a waiting list.
The brand's hard launch has not been announced yet, however last week, its first product - strawberry jam - was sent to 50 influencers to taste test ahead of the launch.
Meghan is thought to be selling a wide range of items through her brand, including household goods, cookware, pet products, gardening tools, beverages, food and condiments.
But critics raised concerns that her promotional activities could breach the royal rule against brand promotion and endorsements.
While Meghan has stepped back from her royal duties, some are concerned that her actions could still reflect negatively on the monarchy.
Mr Cooke said: "Members of the royal family must tread carefully on social media, balancing their personal interests with their responsibilities to the monarchy. Any misstep could have significant repercussions for their reputation and the institution they represent."