10 Times the British Royal Family Showed Us That Some Rules Are Meant to Be Broken

After the deadly fire at Grenfell Tower in London in June 2017, William and the queen paid an emotional visit to a crisis center, where they not only met with some of the survivors, but where William even embraced a woman who was reportedly desperate to locate her husband who was trapped in an elevator during the time of the fire.

Kate took a page out of William's playbook and broke royal etiquette during the family's official tour of Poland and Germany in July 2017. While visiting Strassenkinder, a charity that supports kids from disadvantaged backgrounds, Kate greeted a group of kids with warm hugs and sweet smiles.

Prince William and Kate Middleton bent the rules during Prince George's first royal tour of Australia and New Zealand in April 2014. According to royal rules, two direct heirs — William and George — should never fly on a plane together so that the lineage is protected in case of an accident. However, it was believed that Will and Kate did not want to travel separately from George, who was 9 months old at the time, because they wanted to keep the family together and it was more cost efficient. Still, Will and Kate don't seem too bothered by this rule given the fact that they packed up George and Charlotte for their Canada trip in 2016.

In November 2015, Prince Harry broke royal protocol to cuddle a dog at the annual Royal Variety Performance in London. As he was leaving the Royal Albert Hall stage, Harry ditched his security team and went back to pet the performing animal. "Prince Harry was very sweet and lovely. He said he doesn't have a dog himself but he loved Matisse," owner Jules O'Dwyer told The Sun. "He actually broke with protocol on his way out. It's great that Matisse has got the royal seal of approval."

Harry breached protocol when he hugged semifinals winner Adrien Lewis at the World Darts Championship at London's Alexandra Palace in January 2011. "I came off stage buzzing, and the next thing I knew Prince Harry was coming over to me and giving me a big hug, so I kissed him on the cheek for some reason," Adrien told The Mirror. "Then I thought, 'What are you doing? That's the heir to the throne you're kissing.' He just looked at me . . . I hope he didn't mind and I don't get beheaded before the final."

Both William and Harry bent the rules when they hugged a stunt actor in a Chewbacca costume while touring the Star Wars set in England back in April 2016. During their visit, the royals also met the cast and crew of Star Wars: Episode VIII and even got a tour from Daisy Ridley before dueling each other with lightsabers.

In May 2009, Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth II were chastised for their embrace at Buckingham Palace's G20 Summit. The queen placed her hand on Michelle's back and Michelle returned the sweet gesture. Royal etiquette states that greetings should not go beyond a handshake, but a Buckingham Palace spokesman actually denied that there are rules about being tactile with the queen. "It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection," he said. "We don't issue instructions on not touching the queen."

While attending London's WellChild Awards in September 2014, Harry not only gave 4-year-old Carson Hartley, who battles spina bifida, a high five but he also bent the rules by giving him a hug. Harry, who is patron of the charity, also praised the kids at the event for their bravery, adding, "Your stories are moving beyond words and remind us all of just how fantastic you all are. We can learn a great deal from your strength of character, resolve, and humor in facing down challenges every day."

Prince Charles surprised everyone when he broke protocol to sign an autograph for victims of the Cornwall floods back in November 2010. While meeting with a couple, he was asked, "Can I be really cheeky, please, Sir, and can I have your autograph for my young son Tom? I'm not sure if you do autographs but it would make his day?" Charles then shocked his bodyguards when he asked one of them to find a piece of paper for him to sign. He wrote "Charles 2010" and even apologized for the "shaky writing" because he "never writes standing up."

In October 2016, Harry was so taken by 5-year-old Ollie Carroll that he hugged him during London's WellChild Awards. "You know, not every one gets a hug. You are very lucky indeed," his mother, Lucy Carroll, told Harry. After the sweet encounter, Lucy told Hello! magazine, "Ollie isn't actually aware of who Harry is but just reacted instinctively to the way he was talking and interacting with him. He is brilliant with kids and just very natural. He was very privileged as Ollie cannot use his legs but he just used his strength to stand up and hug him. I felt really proud of Ollie — and of Harry, too!"