Entering into the British royal family means not only attending various events and going on royal tours, but it also means adhering to a long tradition surrounding protocol. One particular rule might come as not only a surprise but also a disappointment to anyone who meets Prince Harry, Meghan Markle or Queen Elizabeth II.

According to Express, every member of the British royal family is prohibited from signing autographs, even if fans make the request.

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This rule is said to be one of the "oldest royal rules" that the family "must obey when meeting with members of the public." Initially, it was put into place to circumvent any potential forgeries. Due to the fact that it is believed having a handwriting sample could prove to be detrimental to the family "in a myriad of misanthropic ways," the royals typically refrain from giving out any signatures during events.

Reportedly, Prince Charles even has a go-to answer when approached about this topic, as he will simply say, "Sorry, they don't allow me to do that."

However, the Duchess of Sussex reportedly broke this long-standing rule in January 2018 during a trip to Cardiff as Prince Harry watched. At that time, the former "Suits" actress provided a signature to a young girl outside Cardiff Castle. Even though Meghan wrote "Hi Kaitlin" on the provided paper, it still broke protocol as it provided an example of what her handwriting looks like.

Additionally, Prince Charles has also given his autograph at various times, such as when he signed something for victims of a Cornwell flood.

Royal Family
The royal family watches the RAF 100th anniversary flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images/Paul Grover-WPA Pool
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