Duchess Sophie Breaks Protocol During Her Latest Royal Outing

Earlier this month, Kate Middleton made headlines for breaking royal protocol by stopping her car to chat with a three-year-old in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. Then, on social media, Meghan Markle captured footage of her husband, Prince Harry, bending the rules to speak with two fans while attending the 2025 Invictus Games. Now, Duchess Sophie is following suit as she carries out her exciting new role.

In case you missed it, the Duchess of Edinburgh was recently announced as patron of the Mothers' Union—a Christian charity that aims to support families around the globe. To mark the occasion, she visited the organization's project, English for Women, in Chelmsford, and the royal family shared a few highlights on Instagram. In an unexpected twist, the royal didn't pass up an opportunity to take selfies with fans as she greeted them.

In the very first slide, the Duchess smiles brightly as she poses behind a group of excited fans—many of whom are holding up their phones to grab a quick selfie. Meanwhile, the following pics offer a glimpse of the royal chatting with charity workers and having a coloring session with a little girl.

Given that the royal family is encouraged to follow the unofficial “no selfie” rule, the first snap of Sophie looking completely unbothered with her supporters is easily the standout. The popular gesture is discouraged because it was once considered disrespectful, per Greg Agnew, a royal fan who attended Queen Elizabeth's garden party in 2017. Even so, it's safe to say the rule is no longer strictly enforced.

On IG, while announcing the duchess's new role, the royal family explained the mission behind English for Women and captioned the post, "The project aims to reduce isolation of those in local communities who experience language barriers in their everyday lives, many of whom are fleeing challenging situations. It provides a space where learners can build support networks and learn everyday English to increase their sense of belonging."

The caption also revealed that the Mothers’ Union has a long history of royal patrons, with the duchess following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother and Queen Victoria.