A fan’s request put royal protocol to the test during the Prince and Princess of Wales’ visit to Powys

Catherine, Princess of Wales shelters under an umbrella as she visits Oriel Davies, a public contemporary art gallery on February 26, 2026 in Newtown, Wales. The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting Powys to celebrate community ahead of St David's Day.

Kate Middleton at Oriel Davies art gallery in Newtown, Wales on Feb. 26, 2026.Credit : Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

 

Kate Middleton had a polite but firm response when a fan made a request that would have broken royal protocol during her visit to Wales with Prince William.

The moment unfolded during the Prince and Princess of Wales’ trip to Powys on Feb. 26, part of a visit celebrating community spirit ahead of St. David’s Day, Wales’ national holiday on March 1. Powys is notable for having the highest number of volunteers per capita in the U.K.

In a video shared on Instagram by Hello!, Princess Kate, 44, is seen greeting well-wishers during a walkabout when a man approaches her with a pen and asks for an autograph. Kate immediately but warmly declines.

“I can’t sign things, I’m so sorry,” she tells him, before adding with a smile, “I can shake your hand, though.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales, smiles during her visit to the Hafan Yr Afon on February 26, 2026 in Newtown, Wales. The Prince and Princess of Wales visited communities in Powys, Wales today ahead of St David's Day.

Kate Middleton in Newtown, Wales on Feb. 26, 2026.Chris Jackson/Getty

The exchange quickly turned affectionate: the handshake became a hug, and Kate waved goodbye before moving on to greet others in the crowd.

There were clearly no hard feelings. Later in the video, the same man is seen snapping a photo of a young girl with the princess.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and William, Prince of Wales waves to well wishers as they arrive for their visit to the Oriel Davies on February 26, 2026 in Newtown, Wales.

Kate Middleton and Prince William in Newtown, Wales on Feb. 26, 2026.Chris Jackson/Getty

It’s a lesser-known royal fact that members of the British royal family do not give public autographs due to the risk of forgery. Instead, Prince William, 43, and Princess Kate often opt for selfies, candid chats, and hands-on interactions with the public.

Catherine, Princess of Wales during a visit to Hafan Yr Afon in Powys to celebrate community ahead of St David's Day on February 26, 2026 in Newtown, Wales.

Kate Middleton in Newtown, Wales on Feb. 26, 2026.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Kate previously addressed the rule in 2022 while visiting the Chelsea Flower Show, when she declined to sign drawings she had made with schoolchildren. “My name’s Catherine,” she explained at the time. “I’m not allowed to write my signature — it’s just one of those rules.”