When Princess Charlotte attended Wimbledon for the first time last summer, it wasn’t just her enthusiasm for tennis that drew attention — it was her choice of accessories. The 8-year-old royal arrived courtside in a chic pair of sunglasses, joining her parents, Prince William and Princess Kate, who also donned their shades under the summer sun. Only Prince George, sitting beside them, went without. Yet as the match ended and the family stepped indoors to meet staff, volunteers, and ball boys and girls, their sunglasses quietly disappeared — a subtle but telling detail that reflected the fine balance of royal etiquette.
While sunglasses are a staple for most people during summer, for the British royal family, they are worn with discretion and purpose. Myka Meier, etiquette expert and author of Modern Etiquette Made Easy, explains that royals “can be seen wearing sunglasses during official engagements, but usually only during outdoor sporting events or in bright climates where eye protection is needed — such as Kate during the Caribbean tour.” However, as Meier emphasizes, “They remove sunglasses as soon as they walk inside, have a prolonged or serious conversation, or upon any formal greeting.” The reason is as practical as it is symbolic: sunglasses block eye contact, a cornerstone of respectful communication. Removing them, Meier says, “is a sign of courtesy and respect to the other person.”
This rule of thumb applies across generations. Princess Kate, often seen wearing sunglasses at Wimbledon, rarely sports them elsewhere during engagements. Even when she does, her choices reflect her support for British craftsmanship — favoring frames from designers such as Victoria Beckham and Finlay. Prince William, too, has recently embraced Finlay’s designs, wearing the “Marshall” style for his Wimbledon appearance, while Kate matched his sleek look with the “Vivian” cat-eye in tortoiseshell at a charity polo match. True to form, she used them as a headband before the game and removed them altogether when presenting awards — another example of how etiquette and elegance coexist naturally in her public persona.
Royal eyewear etiquette also extends to the highest levels. King Charles and Queen Camilla are frequently photographed wearing sunglasses during sunny outdoor events, and even the late Queen Elizabeth occasionally wore them at garden parties. But formality always guided their use — sunglasses were for practicality, not performance. When President Joe Biden met the Queen at Windsor Castle in 2021, his choice to keep his sunglasses on drew mild criticism. Former royal butler Grant Harrold noted that while it wasn’t a grave breach, “He should have removed them when he actually met the Queen. Everyone else has to — even royals remove sunglasses when they meet royals.”
For modern royals, sunglasses have become both a style statement and a lesson in timeless decorum. Meier, who regularly shares etiquette insights online, advises against wearing them indoors, warning that it “can be seen as disrespectful or as though you’re hiding something.” Her motto, “If they aren’t on your face, they should be in your case,” underscores that proper etiquette and good care often go hand in hand.
Fashion-wise, royal favorites continue to inspire admirers worldwide. Kate and Meghan Markle both favor Finlay’s Henrietta sunglasses, while Zara Tindall gravitates toward Illesteva’s Leonard frames. Meghan famously wore Le Specs’ Air Heart design during her New York baby shower, and Princess Eugenie has been spotted in Mr. Boho’s playful Jordaan style. For classicists, Kate’s Ray-Ban Wayfarer II remains the go-to look — timeless, elegant, and effortlessly versatile.
Ultimately, royal sunglasses etiquette mirrors a larger principle that defines the modern monarchy: balance. The royals are expected to blend practicality with grace, personal style with public symbolism. Whether shielding their eyes from the glare of Wimbledon or the flash of a camera, their choices reveal an instinct for diplomacy even in the smallest gestures. And for the public, those carefully chosen frames are more than accessories — they’re reminders that good manners never go out of style, even under the brightest sun.
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