Princess Catherine Makes a Rare Statement in Sunglasses During Scotland Visit: All About the Royal Protocol

Kate Middleton   was ready for some sunshine during her trip to Scotland with   Prince William . The Prince and Princess of Wales — or the D...

Kate Middleton was ready for some sunshine during her trip to Scotland with Prince William.

The Prince and Princess of Wales — or the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as they are titled while in Scotland — celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during a trip to the country where they first met and fell in love.

Much of their two days in the Scottish Isles were spent outdoors, with Kate wearing sunglasses during the royal couple's visit to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull on April 29 and as they boarded a ferry in Fionnphort to visit the Isle of Iona the following day. Both times, she reached for her Finlay Vivian sunglasses, which she previously wore to cheer on her husband during a 2023 polo match.

While sunglasses are not against protocol, it's not common practice for royals to wear them during official outings.

Prince William and Kate Middleton in Scotland on April 29, 2025. KARWAI TANG/WIREIMAGE

Myka Meier, an etiquette expert and the author of the book Modern Etiquette Made Easy, previously explained to PEOPLE: "Sunglasses — or 'sunnies,' as they are called socially in the U.K. — can be seen on royals during official engagements, but usually only during sporting events when there is an activity or event outside or when needed as eye protection for a sunny climate or environment they are in," such as when Princess Kate attends Wimbledon or travels somewhere tropical such as a royal tour in the Caribbean.

"They will remove sunglasses as soon as they walk inside, have a prolonged or serious conversation or upon any formal greeting," Meier added.

"Sunglasses don't allow direct eye contact, which can be seen as a barrier when communicating," Meier continued. "By taking sunglasses off upon meeting, it is seen as a sign of courtesy and respect to the other person."

Like Kate, King Charles and Queen Camilla have been known to protect their eyes with glasses during sunny events. Even the late Queen Elizabeth would occasionally wear them for outdoor events like garden parties.

The formality of the event is certainly taken into consideration, which may explain why Prince William didn't wear sunglasses while attending Pope Francis' funeral over the weekend. The April 26 service was held outside in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, and many of the prince's fellow dignitaries donned shades on the sunny day.

William did face some criticism, however, for wearing a dark blue suit rather than the traditional black, though PEOPLE later confirmed that he did not break protocol by doing so. President Donald Trump and King Abdullah of Jordan were among other dignitaries who didn't wear black to the service.

The Vatican does not list an official funeral dress code on its website, and an insider told PEOPLE that attire for the ceremony was left up to the individual.

"Attendees wore what they considered to be appropriate attire for such a solemn occasion," a Vatican source said.

KINDLY CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY FOR FREE, GET THE LATEST ON THE GO HERE