Royals Behind the Wheel

When and Why the Windsors Skip the Chauffeur

An etiquette expert explains why members of the British royal family sometimes choose to get behind the wheel themselves, even on formal occasions like a banquet.

One of the many perks of being a royal is having a personal chauffeur ready to drive you anywhere, anytime. Yet, on November 14—Prince Charles’ birthday—some members of the royal family, including the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex, were spotted driving themselves to the celebration. William and Harry opted to skip their chauffeurs and personally drove their wives to their father’s milestone event.

This isn’t an isolated instance of the Windsors taking the wheel. Prince William and Prince Harry both drove on their wedding days, Queen Elizabeth II is famously fond of driving, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, often chooses to forgo outside help as well. But why do they do it? Is it another royal protocol, or perhaps a gesture of humility?

Theories Behind Royals Driving Themselves

One popular theory suggests that on November 14, the princes drove themselves to avoid alcohol at the party. Prince Harry may have wanted to support his pregnant wife, while Prince William, as a father of three young children, likely aimed to avoid disturbing their sleep when he returned home.

However, etiquette expert William Hanson believes the real reason lies elsewhere.

“Today, members of the royal family prefer to arrive at private events without a chauffeur because these are personal gatherings,” Hanson explains. He points out that by driving themselves to the palace, William and Harry made a subtle but meaningful gesture: they arrived not as royals performing public duties but as loving sons attending their father’s birthday celebration.

“They were there because of their personal relationship with the guest of honor, not because of their titles or roles. For such occasions, the royal family often tries to minimize pomp and ceremony, which is essential during public engagements,” Hanson notes.

A Common Practice for Family Events

Indeed, royals are often seen driving themselves to private family gatherings. A notable example is the annual Christmas reception at Buckingham Palace. Each year, the Queen hosts a large but private event for her family, and the Windsors usually arrive without chauffeurs.

This choice underscores a desire for normalcy and intimacy during family celebrations, a rare opportunity for the royals to momentarily set aside their public personas and simply enjoy each other’s company.