There wasn't exactly a grand celebration, but today Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, made a rather unexpected move, highlighting just how out of touch royal ways can be with reality and modern life. So, it turns out Meghan visited Children's Hospital Los Angeles in late March, where she spent time reading to young patients. It seems she put her Queen Mary calendar to good use, as Mary once famously said to a royal relative during World War I, "You are a member of the British royal family; we never get tired, and we all love hospitals."
In a video of the duchess's visit published by Extra TV, Meghan can be seen taking Polaroid photos with the children and signing them. Now, here's where things get a bit sticky. The Queen Mother might have done a double-take in her grave, as royals typically don't sign autographs. This was made clear last year when Kate made a surprise visit to the Chelsea Flower Show's children's picnic. When asked to sign her name, she replied, "I cannot write my name, but I can draw," and proceeded to sketch a flower, a tree, and a pond full of plants. When asked again for her signature, she reiterated, "My name is Katherine; I'm not allowed to write my signature."
Now, prepare for the critics to come out in full force, wagging their fingers at Meghan. But personally, I couldn't disagree more. Meghan, unintentionally perhaps, has reminded us just how restrictive and antiquated some royal protocols can be. In what other context would an adult woman be prevented from signing her name? It's a stark reminder of the artificial constraints placed on members of the royal family.
While Buckingham Palace may have moved on from the days of requiring witnesses for royal births or consummation confirmations, the strictness of certain protocols still persists.
