Princess Anne has delivered a typically blunt verdict on modern royal walkabouts, admitting she finds the tradition of shaking hands with members of the public 'patently absurd' and questioning why visitors seem more interested in filming an encounter than enjoying it.
The Princess Royal shared her views in the 2018 ITV documentary Queen of the World, reflecting on how royal appearances have changed over the years. While King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales regularly greet well-wishers with handshakes, Anne has remained attached to a more traditional approach.
Her comments also revealed her frustration with visitors who hold up phones and tablets during engagements, sometimes making it difficult for her to see or speak to the people standing in front of her.
Princess Anne Questions Royal Handshake Tradition
During the documentary, Anne explained that shaking hands with members of the public was not always part of royal walkabouts.
'We never shook hands,' she recalled, describing the thinking behind the earlier approach. 'The theory was that you couldn't shake hands with everybody, so don't start.'
The Princess Royal said she had largely stuck to that tradition, even as other members of the Royal Family adopted a more hands-on style of greeting crowds.
'So I kind of stick with that, but I noticed others don't,' she added.
Anne was careful not to suggest that the modern approach was wrong, but questioned whether the practice had become more important than the purpose of the event.
'I think the initial concept was that it was patently absurd to start shaking hands,' she said. 'And it seems to me that it's become a shaking hands exercise rather than a walkabout, if you see what I mean.'
Her comments reflect the original thinking behind royal walkabouts: it was considered impractical to greet everyone individually when crowds could stretch along an entire street.
The format became more familiar during Queen Elizabeth II's reign, as members of the Royal Family increasingly stepped out to meet people face-to-face rather than simply waving from a distance.
Today, handshakes are a familiar feature of royal engagements, with Prince William and Kate often stopping to greet people during public visits. Anne, however, appears to believe that an encounter should be about conversation rather than simply exchanging greetings.
Princess Anne Has Little Patience for iPads
Handshakes are not the only feature of modern royal appearances that have prompted Anne to speak out. The Princess Royal also expressed frustration with visitors who concentrate on recording an encounter instead of interacting with the person in front of them.
'I'm glad I'm not starting now, because at least you had people to talk to—now you don't really,' she said. She then singled out tablets as a particular problem.
'Phones are bad enough, but the iPads—you can't even see their heads! No idea who you're talking to.'
Anne explained that she sometimes chooses not to engage with people who are holding up their devices. On other occasions, she makes her preference clear.
'I either don't bother, or I say, 'Look, if you want to meet us, I suggest you put that down,' she said.
She also questioned the need to photograph an encounter when someone is already standing directly in front of the royal they have come to see.
'It is weird, as people don't believe that they've experienced the event unless they've taken photographs,' she added.
Her remarks highlight a familiar tension at public appearances. Smartphones and tablets allow royal fans to capture special moments, but Anne appears to feel that constantly filming can take away from the experience itself.
Rather than dismissing the public's enthusiasm, her comments suggest she would prefer visitors to put their screens away and make the most of the opportunity to speak to her.
The Princess Royal's No-Nonsense Approach
Anne's views are consistent with her reputation for being one of the most practical and outspoken members of the Royal Family. Her commitment to public duties remains considerable. According to figures reported by The Independent, she carried out 478 engagements in 2025, placing her among the busiest working royals, although King Charles recorded a higher total.
The Princess Royal has also made clear that she has little intention of retiring. Speaking to the Press Association in 2025, she said: 'I don't think there's a retirement programme on this particular life.'
The comments followed a serious horse-related incident in June 2024, which left her with a concussion and required a stay in hospital.
Anne later reflected on the experience, saying: 'You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus, really.'
Now 76, having celebrated her birthday on 15 August 2026, she continues to carry out a demanding programme of royal engagements.
Her views on handshakes and iPads may differ from those of other senior royals, but they reveal a consistent preference for practicality and genuine interaction over ceremony.
And while royal fans may still hope to capture a photograph or exchange a handshake during their next encounter with the Princess Royal, Anne has made one thing clear: she would much rather see their faces than the screens in front of them.
