Princess Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has long been known for her impeccable poise and grace.

But despite her adherence to royal traditions and decorum, she’s caused quite a stir by occasionally breaking a few unwritten rules.

While the British royal family is notorious for its rigid protocols, Kate’s subtle rebellions have often gone unnoticed or been forgiven due to her charm and relatable nature.

Here’s a look at 13 instances where Kate Middleton quietly bent the rules of the royal family, leaving us to wonder if perhaps some rules were meant to be broken.

1. No Wedding Ring

One of the most surprising instances of Kate breaking tradition involves her wedding ring—or rather, the lack of it. While it’s customary for royal women to wear their wedding rings at all times, Kate has been seen in public without hers on several occasions. Was it an oversight, or is she quietly sending a message? Who knows! But if we were wearing Princess Diana’s iconic sapphire ring, it would likely never leave our finger. Still, Kate’s choice to go without it may have simply been a personal decision, one that many fans were quick to forgive.

2. Bright Nail Polish

Royal women are traditionally expected to wear neutral nail colors, avoiding bold shades like red or blue. However, Kate Middleton has been spotted sporting vibrant red nails, most notably on her 2014 visit to New Zealand. While the fashion world applauded her boldness, some royal watchers raised eyebrows, thinking she was defying the decorum typically associated with the monarchy. But in today’s modern world, surely there’s room for a little color on those nails!

3. Short Dresses and Wedge Shoes

In April 2014, during a visit to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, Kate broke two royal fashion rules in one fell swoop. She wore a dress that ended above the knee (a no-no according to royal protocol) and paired it with wedge shoes—another fashion faux pas for royal women. Wedge espadrilles are considered too casual for official engagements, but Kate, ever the trendsetter, wore them anyway. After all, style and comfort should go hand in hand!

4. High Heels (And No Dress Weights)

Kate is often seen in towering heels, which is a bit of a rebellion considering that the royal family prefers low heels for practical reasons. But her stunning shoe choices don’t stop there—Kate also frequently forgoes dress weights to prevent her skirts from flying up during windy days. In fact, in October 2018, during Princess Eugenie’s wedding, the wind caused a minor wardrobe malfunction, but Kate handled it with grace and poise, proving that she doesn’t always follow the royal dress code to the letter.

5. Wearing Black

Traditionally, members of the royal family are only supposed to wear black on somber occasions like funerals. But Kate has occasionally been seen in all-black outfits, sparking some murmurs among royal purists. For example, during a visit to the Natural History Museum in 2020, Kate wore a sleek black Alexander McQueen suit. While her choice may have ruffled a few feathers, it was undoubtedly chic and elegant.

6. Involvement in Scandals

Kate has also found herself at the center of royal controversy on several occasions. One infamous instance occurred during the baptism of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first child when Kate wore Princess Diana’s pearl earrings. Some royal fans accused her of trying to overshadow Meghan with the gesture, and the media speculated about ongoing tensions between the two women. Add to that the rumors of royal feuds, and Kate’s life has been far from free of scandal.

7. Outshining the Queen

In 2012, during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Kate turned heads by wearing a bright red Alexander McQueen dress that almost outshone the Queen herself. While most royal guests adhered to a softer color palette, Kate’s bold choice was a nod to her personal style and confidence. Though some may have felt she was stealing the spotlight, others applauded her fashion-forward thinking.

8. Prince William in the Delivery Room

In contrast to royal tradition, which has often seen fathers relegated to the waiting room during childbirth, Kate made a bold move when she insisted that Prince William be present for the birth of all three of their children. This broke an outdated royal tradition, but Kate clearly valued having her husband by her side for such intimate moments.

9. Celebrating Holidays Away From the Royals

The royal family typically spends Christmas at Sandringham, but in 2012 and again in 2016, Kate and Prince William opted to celebrate the holiday with her family in Berkshire instead. While this may have raised some eyebrows, the couple’s decision to prioritize their own family traditions over royal expectations was seen as a modern and relatable move.

10. No Touching Policy? Kate Breaks It

Royal protocol dictates that members of the royal family avoid physical contact with the public, but Kate Middleton broke this rule when she embraced an old history teacher during a trip to Cornwall in February 2021. Her warm hug caused quite a stir among royal enthusiasts, but Kate’s warm and approachable nature often leads her to break the no-touching rule when the moment calls for it.

11. No Selfies With the Public

Royal family members are generally expected to avoid taking selfies with members of the public. Yet, during a 2022 trip to Scotland, Kate happily posed for a photo with NBA superstar LeBron James, even letting him put his arm around her. This moment of casual interaction broke the longstanding “no selfies” protocol, and fans loved the candid nature of the exchange.

12. Getting Cheeky in Public

Kate’s public displays of affection with Prince William have become more common, and in some cases, she’s even gotten a little cheeky. On one occasion, Kate was seen playfully grabbing William’s backside during a public appearance, a gesture that would have once been unthinkable for the royals. However, in today’s more relaxed atmosphere, royal couples like Kate and William are allowed to share such tender moments in the public eye.

13. Celebrating Personal Milestones Openly

Royal families traditionally keep their personal lives private, especially when it comes to milestones like birthdays or anniversaries. However, Kate has often shared her personal celebrations with the public, whether through official portraits or family gatherings. While some may argue that this breaks with tradition, many fans appreciate her down-to-earth approach to life as a modern royal.

In conclusion, Kate Middleton is far from being a rule-breaker in a rebellious sense, but she has certainly introduced a more modern approach to royal life. Whether it’s a bold fashion choice, a small act of defiance, or a personal decision that defies tradition, Kate has proven that some rules can be bent while still maintaining the dignity and grace of the monarchy. And perhaps, in a changing world, that’s just what the royal family needs.