Kings, queens, princes, and princesses... You would guess Royals are a thing of the past if it wasn't for the fact that many countries still have active monarchs today. But if you ignore their massive wealth, fame, and blue-blooded reputation, they are just regular and flawed human beings like the rest of us. From Prince Charles to Kate Middleton, they have all been caught on camera, clumsily doing the most awkward things.
There's no denying that it's hard being royalty. When you're a Royal, you have to assume all eyes are on you at every moment. But despite every strict protocol and social norm, the world's most famous monarchs still end up doing some embarrassing stuff in public. Today, let's have a good laugh by taking a look at some of those unforgettably awkward moments. From flying dresses to eagle scares, there's a little bit of everything in our list of Royal shenanigans.
Man, That's a Big Bird!
The Sandringham Flower Show is an annual event sponsored and attended by the British Royal Family. It's a great occasion for the monarchs to visit the beautiful countryside and take a look at some impressive plants and animals. It's also an excellent time for the paparazzi to catch the Royals in awkwardest situations.
In this hilarious snap, an out-of-character Prince Charles was unable to control his reflexes and did this "I'm about to sneeze" face while avoiding a giant eagle that was being paraded to him. His wife Camilla looks utterly unimpressed, though.
Stuck In A Moment—Literally.
In 2013, Kate Middleton joined her husband, William, and the rest of the Royal Family to attend the St. Patrick's day parade. However, the afternoon ended up being more memorable for this moment than for the clovers and Irish beers typical of the holiday.
One of Kate's shoes got stuck on a street drain, and the Royal lady was forced to bend down and free herself just like the rest of us commoners. Every lady out there can relate to the mishap, but it's funny to see how poorly prepared a whole army of men was in dealing with the situation.
Call Me Marilyn Middleton
"Steamy" is a great word to describe the late female icon Marilyn Monroe, but a terrible name to give to a Royal lady. Royal women are supposed to be extremely classy and well-mannered, but sometimes, a windy day can get in the way and ruin things for them...
Here seen meeting the troops, a finely-dressed Kate Middleton ended up showing the men more than she wanted to after being surprised by a sudden gust of wind. The diligent Royal photographers immediately caught the moment, and you can easily see at least one of the soldiers realizing what was going on and giving Kate a cheeky smile.
Aphrodisiac Kate
In a rare moment, Kate Middleton got caught slurping down some oysters in public. The picture is odd not only because Royal ladies always try to avoid eating in front of the cameras, but also because shellfish isn't the ideal type of food the Royal Family usually consumes.
Shellfish is dangerous and can lead to food poisoning, and you can tell by the picture that Prince William disapproves of this Kate Middleton moment. They say oysters are a natural aphrodisiac, but we don't really see what's so seductive about slimy food and loud mouth noises.
Prince Charles' Kid-Level Climbing Skills
This never-before-seen moment was captured in 2012 when Prince Charles and Camilla visited a newly-renovated school in Jersey. The students of the Grainville School were given a demonstration of how fun their new gym equipment could be, in the least fun possible way.
Prince Charles exhibited some "impressive" climbing skills, but let's not forget this is a climbing wall designed for children! The odd and awkward scene was a great example of what happens when the Royals happen to be in a good mood. It wasn't easy since those grips were designed for smaller, child-sized hands!
Name a Better Love Story Than Camilla and Ice Cream!
In 2012, Prince Charles and Camilla packed their bags and traveled abroad to visit the lovely old town of Copenhagen, Denmark. There, they indulged themselves with some ice cream from the city's oldest ice cream shop. And while Charles took the chance to speak briefly with the cashier, Camilla wasted no time and stepped away eating her precious ice cream.
Camilla is a real fan of ice cream, and she's been caught more than once having an awkward moment with one of these, including a time in which she made a mess so big that Dame Judi Dench offered her a tissue! Who can blame her, though? Ice cream is delicious!
The Queen & Her Glorious Yawn
According to the Royal Family website, the Queen is a person of such particular status she doesn't need a passport to travel abroad nor a diver's license to drive a car! That makes her the one person in the world who can make do without these vital documents. But it doesn't mean she never gets sleepy at the wheel, just like us normies so commonly do.
In this finely-timed picture, you can get a rare glimpse of the Queen yawning. But just for fun, we like to imagine she's not getting sleepy at the wheel here, but rather singing-along to a hardcore metal song that's playing on the car's radio! Wouldn't that be hilarious?
Uh-Oh, Somebody Messed Up...
June 5, 2012, was a special day for the Queen. It marked her Diamond Jubilee, an event celebrating the 60th anniversary of her coronation. To make it even more special, Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee was only the second in the Royal Family's history! So what was Kate thinking when she decided to wear that dress?
While Camilla and the Queen herself have kept their attire as light and classy as possible, Kate decided to show-up in an attention-stealing red stunner. Kate looks very happy in this picture, but you can see by the Queen's face that Kate was going to be forced to hear a long and painful sermon after pulling this flashy stunt.
Angry At The Jubilee
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee was a big day for Her Majesty, but she seemed like she was not fully enjoying the celebrations. Was she still mad about Kate's over-the-top red dress? Or was she irritated by something completely different?
Either way, we're happy that the days of the absolute monarchies are finally over. Unless you're watching Game of Thrones, kings and queens are no longer entitled to execute by decree out of pure whim. Because at this very moment, the Queen looks like she's ready to make some heads roll! And you don't want to get in the way of Her Majesty!
Boys Will Be Boys
Prince Harry is the undisputed goofball of the Royal Family, and he's not afraid of letting things go and having some fun from time to time. In this snap captured in 2009, Harry is seen squirting some water on the face of Nacho Figueras, a professional polo player who's also one of his best friends.
Once ranked as one of the world's 100 top polo players, Figueras is also a model and one of the leading public supporters of the ever-controversial Meghan Markle. Harry and Nacho go way back and have been sharing a relatable and fraternal friendship for decades now.
Who's This Harry Potter Character Then?
Being a member of the Royal Family isn't all about boring parades and highly-demanding sets of rules. Sometimes, it's a great chance to have some fun! In 2013, Kate Middleton, William, and Harry got together to attend the Harry Potter Studio Tour, and they had a "magical" time.
Nobody can resist a great story, not even the Royal Family. Looking as happy and focused as we've ever seen her, Kate decided to grab a wand and live her fantasy of one day making it to Hogwarts. Since she's made it to Buckingham Palace already, why should she ever doubt her dreams?
Sophie's Stumble
Being royalty is an old-fashioned business, which means you're sometimes forced to ride an old school carriage to official events. In 2017, during a trip to the Royal Ascot Racecourse, the Countess of Wessex, Sophie, ended up experiencing firsthand the harsh consequences of wearing a long dress during a carriage trip.
When she was leaving the carriage, she ended up losing her balance and almost fell on top of a clearly surprised Kate Middleton. The husbands of the two women, Prince William and Prince Edward, ended up having a good laugh about it. So allow us to join in and do the same because the expression on Kate's face is simply hilarious!
Like a Game of Hot Potato
The Commonwealth Games are a multi-national sports event that has been taking place every four years since 1930. Associated with the British Royal Family, the Commonwealth Games often count on the presence of the U.K.'s most notable monarchs, such as Prince Harry.
But going to the Commonwealth Games doesn't necessarily mean you're good at sports. In this awkward and finely-timed picture, Prince Harry is boasting his best-surprised face after failing to catch a ball that was flying towards him. Fortunately, Harry was just watching the games from the sidelines and not playing for England's cricket team.
Scary Scones In Time For Halloween
Queen Elizabeth II is the Royal Family matriarch and one of the most recognizable public figures worldwide. Such status comes with a hefty price—not ever being caught acting silly in public! But while typically being extremely poised, the Queen also has some awkward moment in her catalog, as you already know by now.
This one is a perfect representation of what if feels like to be a Royal: people cannot stop shoving things in our face, whether it's expensive gifts or gourmet scones. Boys, please take your plates back. Too many scones are making the Queen sick!
An Experienced Horse-Faller
Prince Harry, a prominent polo player, has been involved in some nasty falls over the years, and his cringy public polo accidents have even happened more than once! This is a snapshot of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, an AIDS-related charity event during which Prince Harry treated the audience with an unforgettably clumsy moment.
Years before, in a charity polo match in South Africa's Cape Town, Harry did the exact same thing, falling not once but twice off of his horse. At this point, we don't even know if falling on purpose, or he's just incredibly uncoordinated.
Even A Prince Can Be Bad At Dancing
Probably because he knows he will never get a chance to ascend to the throne, Prince Harry is the one Royal who's not afraid of being goofy from time to time. In 2014, he visited the Chilean capital of Santiago, where he met the mentally-challenged children of the Fundación Amigos de Jesus.
Needless to say, he fitted right in, and he even joined the kids for a spontaneous dancing moment, to the sound of Katy Perry's song, Fireworks. Can we get this over with and pick Prince Harry as our favorite Royal Family member already?
The Power of a Well-Timed Snap
Not all cringy Royal Family photos are authentic. Some are simply the result of a well-timed snap, taken by a photographer who knows exactly how to capture people in their awkwardest, very worst moments. This funny picture of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry is a great example!
While Meghan looks like she's about to say something utterly dumb, Harry's dead-eyed expression and body language make him look like he's about to start dancing the robot. They were probably just having a normal conversation on the street, though, perhaps while exchanging a private joke.
Wet & Wild!
Let's face it! Not everyone is a big fan of the Royal Family, especially in their homeland of the U.K. In 2017, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the London Marathon quite casually, and the result was a series of cringy photos involving William and some anonymous cheeky athletes.
The bold runners decided to make a joke out of the Prince and splash him with some water. Luckily, medieval times are over, and nobody lost their head after the whole deal was over. But the Prince did got wet, and Kate seems to be all smiles about it!
There's Nothing Like A Royal Fanboy
The 2017 London Marathon was graced with the presence of Kate, Harry, and William, and the three Royals decided to show a more casual side of themselves during the sports event. But has William taken things too far?
During the training sessions preceding the marathon, Prince William got so involved in the moment he lost his cool for a little bit. We know he's just being fun and supporting the runners, but his expression is a little bit over the top. Can you imagine watching a football game with William? He seems like a guy who's more than ready to scream at the referee!
The (Un)Lucky Charm
2014 was a great year to be a British tennis fan. Scottish tennis player Sir Andy Murray had just won the 2013 edition of the Wimbledon tournament, and he wanted to repeat the feat. Watching from the countertops were two of his most famous fans: Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The two Royals were supposed to be a lucky charm, but they ended up having the opposite effect. Murray lost in the quarter-finals against the 23-year-old Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who was the underdog. In the end, the Swiss legend Roger Federer ended up winning the whole tournament.
A Heartwarming Moment
Let's take a break on our cringy Royal photos to appreciate how fun, relatable, and nice Prince Harry can be. In the 2017 Invictus Games, which is an international multi-sport event created by Harry himself, the Prince realized a cheeky toddler was discreetly stealing his popcorn!
What to do? Get in on the fun, of course! During the rest of the game, Harry paid more attention to the cute young girl than to the pitch, and the result was a series of heartwarming pictures that have shown Harry's definitely ready to become a father.
Blowin' In The Wind
If Camilla ever wished she could look like Marilyn Monroe, we're pretty sure those days are over by now. But in 2015, she was attending Princess Charlotte's christening when she was suddenly surprised by an unpleasant gust of wind. Putting on her typical poker face, Camilla decided to relax and make sure she wasn't showing too much of her legs.
With some quick thinking and fast hands, she kept her dress down and even saved her flamboyant hat from flying all the way to the other side of the St. Mary Magdalene Church. She wasn't able to avoid this awkward picture, though.
Life Before Royalty
Back when Prince William and Kate Middleton were still a recent item, it was common for Kate to do all sorts of things only ordinary people do, such as catching a cab. In those early days of paparazzi fame, driving around in a Royal carriage was still not an option for the young nursery school graduate.
For that reason, there are tons of pictures of Kate around in which she looks less like a Princess and more like everybody's party-hard friend. In this particular snap, she seems like she's about to say a swear word after hurting herself in the leg.
William & Harry's First Helicopter
Parents are lucky enough to witness many of their children's "firsts"—the first time they go to the movies, their first day at school, their first friend. The Royals have access to some luxurious treats, and Diana has undoubtedly never forgotten the first time their kids saw a helicopter.
When you're part of the Royal family, watching helicopters come and go is nothing out of the ordinary. But the young Princes William and Harry seem very impressed to see one, even though the powerful blasts coming from the propellers are making it hard for them to keep their cool.
These Shoes Weren't Made For Walkin'
Kate Middleton needs to start wearing comfortable shoes! The beautiful wife of Prince William isn't looking her best in this perfectly-timed picture, wherein she can be seen struggling to stay on her feet during a 2014 visit to a vineyard in New Zealand.
While Kate's male companions are all walking poised and confident, she seems to be the only one stepping on shaky ground. Naturally, the ground is all the same, but her heels make a lot of difference! Luckily, this uncomfortable moment didn't turn into something even more awkward, like a nasty fall.
To Win is To Look Gawky
During their 2014 trip to New Zealand, Prince William and Kate Middleton decided to join a cricket game to help promote the 2015 World Cup, which was about to take place in the country. But while Kate looked okay playing the old British game, William was perhaps trying to win way too hard...
Dressed in suit and tie, the Prince proved that his athletic prowess is no match to his photogenic skills. Nonetheless, we kind of understand this one. Sports are all about winning and have nothing to do with looking good.
That's Not How You Play, Kate!
Well, that 2014 New Zealand trip was a definite treat for the Royal photographers! While William embarrassed himself on the cricket pitch, Kate looked okay but didn't do much for the emancipation of women in sports. Wearing quite a stiff red attire, she missed the point of cricket completely!
We're not saying Kate should be a cricket pro, but couldn't she at least NOT run away from the ball? We're pretty sure Kate must be excellent at some type of sport. But when it comes to cricket, she looks way cooler when she's simply cheerleading from the sidelines.
Keeping Things Under Control
Being a Royal can be such hard work. While most people don't have to care about getting some wind on their faces, Meghan Markle is fully aware that her every step is being monitored by the relentless paparazzi. For that reason, stepping out of the airplane during a windy day can be a real challenge.
Fortunately, she was able to keep things under control by pressing her hand against her dress and putting on a smiley face. She looks like she's desperately looking for help, though, but Prince Harry is just happy he's allowed to wear pants.
It's All About Timing
When you're a member of the Royal Family, you cannot put a foot outside of your castle without being harassed by the ever-vigilant paparazzi. And the relentless attention of the press is even worse when you happen to be the Queen!
For that reason, there are many awkward photos of the classy lady on the Internet that don't really deserve to be scrutinized. For instance, this funny picture was timed to capture the Queen while she was speaking, and it makes her look as though she's about to pass out due to heavy stuttering.
Warming-Up For a Good Cause
In May 2016, Prince William joined his brother Harry for a charity polo match. However, the real highlight of the afternoon was not the game, but rather the warm-up session. Kate Middleton is a huge fan of yoga, and she seems to have been the inspiration behind William's public yoga stunts.
You can never be too safe when it comes to taking care of your body, but Prince William's warm-up session ended up causing more of an impact on celebrity news than on his back. Between 2007 and 2016, William and Harry raised a whopping $18 million for charity with their polo matches.
Repeat Offender
Storm drains, high-heeled shoes, Kate Middleton: These are the main ingredients of a disastrous recipe that was bound to be repeated in 2018. Kate was visiting an addiction treatment center when she failed to see a storm drain and almost got her shoe stuck in public yet again!
As you can tell, this is not the first time Kate has struggled with keeping her shoes "off the grid." But this hilarious picture helps to show that, when it comes to watching Kate's steps, nobody is indifferent... not even the men of the military!
Happy in the Snow
Prince William and Kate Middleton love ski resorts, and at least one of them is a massive fan of snowball fights. In 2016, this heartwarming picture captured Kate surprising her husband with a snowball that hit the bullseye! Two years later, the beautiful Duchess tried to repeat the joke, this time during a Winter vacation in a Norwegian ski resort.
On both occasions, Prince William decided not to join the fight and was happy with taking the bullet. Both moments help to show that, despite their otherworldly wealth, obligations, and responsibilities, this Royal pair has enough love and tenderness to spare.
"I Wanna Eat It So Bad..."
The city of Sydney in Australia is known for its modern opera, beautiful coastline, and cosmopolitan vibe. But Prince William decided to enjoy it uniquely. No, that's not a kangaroo egg he's holding. Celebrating Easter, he got this chocolate egg as a present to his wife, Kate.
But is it really a present? Judging by William's face, he looks like he's trying to repress something. Well, he's either pushing down an unexpected bowel movement, or he's dying to get home and take a bite out of his delicious new chocolate egg.
The Horrors Of A Horse Show
In the 2019 Royal Windsor Horse Show, a happy Queen wore her best rainjacket and took some time to check on Great Britain's top horses. Her Majesty is a massive fan of the beautiful animal, and she loves a good horse show.
However, a clever photographer made the most out of timing and framing to take this powerful and very un-Royal picture. This snap looks like something that could be used to promote a horror show. But make no mistake: The thing that surprised Her Majesty this much was probably an old-fashion English stud!
A Hat Person All The Way
Just like younger women of the Royal Family, Her Majesty has been surprised by the wind once or twice in her life. While she doesn't usually wear risky summer dresses, she loves hats and does the best she can not to let them get lost in the wind.
But what does the Queen do with all of her hats? According to the Royal milliner, Philip Somerville, Her Majesty likes to repeat some outfits and hats throughout time. According to Somerville, she can even use the same hat as much as ten times before throwing it away.
Under My Umbrella
There's no shortage of pictures of the Royal Family trying to avoid the rain with some huge umbrellas because they go out for public affairs rain or shine. But when it comes to staying dry, there's nothing quite like taking care of your own protection.
When Kate decided to trust her husband to do the job, he proved to be very bad at it. Kate was all smiles after the mishap, but it wasn't William's proudest moment. Unexpectedly, the photo proved to be more of a display of love than an awkward moment, with many people finding it tender and heartwarming online.
Room For Fun
Back when Prince Harry was single, he loved to spend time with his older brother and wife. Kate specifically enjoyed the company of the redheaded Royal very much. While William can get a little bit too serious from time to time, Harry has that joker's vibe that's so much welcome to a Royal Family environment.
To an outsider like Kate, having Harry around must've been a gamechanger. When you're spending time with the Royals, fun is never the number 1 priority. Next to Harry, Kate was at least able to find someone to goof around with.
A Star In the Making
During the 2019 edition of the King's Cup, the little Princess Charlotte stole the show by sticking her tongue out after her mother told her to wave to the crowd. Reportedly, she was sticking her tongue out to her granddaddy, Michael Middleton.
We don't know what Michael did to annoy the little princess, but he probably deserved it. The moment ended up making headlines in the U.K., but it's hardly fair to call it awkward or clumsy. The public loved Charlotte's attitude, and many people praised Kate's light and fun reaction.
Curious George
It's hard enough to be a grown-up Royal Family member. So, we can only imagine how tough it must be to spend your entire childhood acting as if you're a blue-blooded, well-mannered kid. After all, children don't like to be tamed or told what to do. But that's all there is to the life of a Royal...
The little Prince George seems more than fed-up with his Royal status, and he's always daydreaming about having a simpler life. Yeah, riding a plane is kind of cool, but George is so bored he looks like he'd have more fun playing in a sandbox or catching bugs in the woods.
Royal Kids Are Still Just Kids
It's not easy being Princess Charlotte. The beautiful daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton has way more responsibilities on her plate than your typical 5-year-old. And in 2017, during a Royal Family helicopter tour in Poland and Germany, the little princess ended up stumbling and falling on the ground.
Like all children would do, she started crying and had to be consoled by her mother. It was a clumsy Royal moment, but it was also a sweet and nurturing scene, which seems to undoubtedly show that princes and princesses are just as human as the rest of us.