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14 times the royals have lost their cool in public

From Prince William's powerful statement to Prince Philip's impatience... 

King Charles at00th Sovereign's Parade At Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Ainhoa Barcelona
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The royal family are often credited for being some of the most dignified people around the media, always keeping their cool and remaining professional in the public eye. 

Like any human being, however, there are moments when the royals' temper starts to overflow, manifesting itself in flying fits of rage. 

We're taking a look back at some of the royal family's more irritable moments, and see how they managed to control the situation while dozens of flashbulbs went off.

King Charles

The King was caught on camera airing his frustration at a leaky pen, just days after his accession to the throne as he signed a visitors book at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. 

See the moment caught on camera here...

WATCH: King Charles realises he has made a big mistake: 'Oh God'

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William

the queen losing temper prince william© Getty
The Queen appeared to scold her grandson

Prince William had a right telling off from his grandmother the Queen during her birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour, in 2016. As the family made an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, William bent down to have a chat with little Prince George, but Her Majesty was not impressed.

Clearly aware of the fact that thousands of eyes were on them, she appeared to tell her grandson to stand up. And William didn't waste any time in following Granny's orders!

Prince William and the BBC

prince william losing temper© Getty
Prince William issued a powerful statement

The Prince of Wales released a powerful statement in May 2021 as Lord Dyson's report found that BBC journalist, Martin Bashir, used "deceitful behaviour" to secure his headline-making Panorama interview with Princess Diana in 1995.

In a filmed statement, Prince William said he felt "indescribable sadness" to know that the corporation's failures "contributed significantly" to his late mother's fear, paranoia and isolation.

He added: "In an era of fake news, public service broadcasting and a free press have never been more important. These failings, identified by investigative journalists, not only let my mother down, and my family down; they let the public down too."

The Princess of Wales and Prince George

Kate Middleton scolding Prince George at Pippa Middleton's wedding© Getty
Kate appeared to scold her son at Pippa's wedding in 2017

Kate was on doting mummy duty at her sister Pippa Middleton's wedding in 2017, but there was one incident when she had to have a few cross words with her son Prince George.

The cheeky youngster was spotted playing behind his aunt's wedding dress and shaking out his flower basket before Kate, who also had her hands full with Princess Charlotte, gave him a quick talking to. George briefly shed some tears after he was scolded but quickly perked up! Kids hey!

The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte

Princess Charlotte crying before boarding the plane in Germany© Getty
Princess Charlotte was upset as she boarded the plane

It all became a bit too much for Princess Charlotte as William and Kate prepared to board a helicopter in Hamburg. Kate was seen giving her daughter a gentle scold as the then two-year-old burst into tears.

Autumn Phillips and Savannah Phillips

autumn phillips losing temper savannah© Getty
Autumn told off Savannah

Savannah Phillips was scolded by her mum Autumn during the royals' day out at the polo in June 2018. The little girl, then seven, jokingly pushed her cousin Prince George down a hill, leaving him in shock and a bit tearful.

Prince Harry

The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Visit Morocco© Getty
Prince Harry became annoyed by a photographer in Morocco

Prince Harry lost his cool during the couple's tour of Morocco in February 2019. The royal was seen telling a cameraman to back off as he accidentally knocked a child with his equipment.

Harry and Meghan were tasting traditional local cuisine including a pigeon pie dish, with the Prince cheering up the little girl by giving her the chef's hat.

Prince Philip

prince philip losing temper© Getty
Prince Philip became impatient during a group photo

During a photocall in 2015, Prince Philip lost his patience as he swore at a group of cameramen and told them: "Just take the [expletive] picture!" The Queen's late husband repeatedly said "Just take it," prompting his family, including Prince William, to stifle their laughter.

The royals were attending a photocall at the RAF Club to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain.

Prince Philip

the queen and prince philip losing temper© Getty
Prince Philip appeared fed up during the event

In his typical no-nonsense matter, Prince Philip gestured to a driver to tell him to hurry up as the Duke and his wife were driven around in the open-top Queenmobile.

Philip got fed up of the slow-moving car, while his wife, who was celebrating her 90th birthday, enjoyed waving to the crowds.

Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne

the queen losing temper princess anne© Getty
Princess Anne's entrance sparked a reaction at the time

Social media went crazy when a video of the Queen and Princess Anne went viral after the Nato reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2019. In the clip, it looked like the monarch was chastising her daughter in front of the US President Donald Trump, but in fact Anne was standing back, because she was not part of the welcome party.

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When the Queen looked to see who was next in line to be greeted, Anne raised her hands in the air, laughed and said: "It's just me, and this lot" pointing to members of the household behind her. Twitter went alight after some mistook Anne's gesture for her not wanting to greet President Trump. 

Prince Harry

prince harry losing temper polo© Getty
Harry expressed some feelings

When Prince Harry attended the Sentebale Polo Cup in Italy in May 2019, just weeks after welcoming baby Archie, he couldn't help let his feelings be known about the use of plastic.

His friend and professional polo player Nacho Figueras told CBS This Morning: "We were at the hotel where we spent the night before the game. He talked to a person and said, 'This morning I got my coffee and I saw that you have a plastic thing on the coffee. And then I also sent my shirt and I got my shirt in a big plastic bag. Can we please not use plastic?'"

Nacho added: "So that's this guy, okay. I don't like to talk about that at all, that's who he is. That's who they are. No plastic." TV presenter Gayle King replied: "They're trying to make the world a better place, every day."

Nacho had previously defended the royal in another interview and on Instagram, saying the world didn't know the real Harry.

"The world thinks they know everything about this man," he wrote. "I have been fortunate enough to spend enough time over the years to learn and understand the man he really is, a kind, generous, compassionate person who is constantly thinking about how to make the world a better place... I see him do that over and over again and it is truly inspiring. I am honoured to be your friend and let's keep fighting because if we all fight together love always wins."

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William

Zara Phillips and Prince William leave church on Christmas Day in 1987© Getty
William and Zara pictured in 1987

The Prince of Wales has previously opened up about another time Her Majesty told him off, recalling the incident as a child.

Speaking during documentary The Queen at 90, William explained: "[Peter Phillips and I] were chasing Zara around who was on a go-cart, and [we] managed to herd Zara into a lamppost and the lamppost came down and nearly squashed her.

And I remember my grandmother being the first person out at Balmoral to come running across the lawn in her kilt. She came charging over and gave us the most almighty telling off, and that sort of stuck in my mind from that moment on."

Prince Harry

Prince Harry at high court in March 2023© Getty
Harry pictured at the High Court in March 2023

In May 2019, Prince Harry released a statement as part of his lawsuit against a photo agency.

Harry and Meghan's £2.5million country home in the Cotswolds was photographed from a helicopter in January and the pictures were later printed in a newspaper, prompting the royals to move out after they feared for their "safety and security". The couple's "living area, dining area and bedroom" were shown.

Harry's statement was read in open court, noting that he accepted the agency's apology and substantial damages. Harry's solicitor, Gerrard Tyrrell, said: "The property had been chosen by the Duke for himself and his wife given the high level of privacy it afforded given its position in a secluded area surrounded by private farmland away from any areas to which photographers have access.

"The helicopter flew over the home at a low altitude allowing Splash to take photographs of and into the living area and dining area of the home and directly into the bedroom... 

"The syndication and publication of the photographs very seriously undermined the safety and security of the Duke and the home to the extent that they are no longer able to live at the property."

The Princess of Wales and Prince Louis

Earlier this year, Kate struggled to keep little Louis under control during the Party at the Palace as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

The mum-of-three had her hands full with the little tot who proceeded to pull a series of entertaining faces. At one moment, the four-year-old started sucking his thumb, much to his mother's annoyance.

kate telling off louis© Getty
Kate was praised for the way she reacted to Louis' cheeky antics

Like many mothers around the world, Kate was quick to try and distract her son and tapped his thumb out of his mouth. But in true Louis form, his fun and hilarious behaviour continued. 

Moments later he pulled a very cheeky face at his mother, sticking his tongue out at her, forcing Kate to have to have a quiet stern word with him.

Amused by the situation unravelling before his eyes, Mike Tindall humorously gave Louis the "I'm watching you" hand gesture.

Kate, who was sitting next to the four-year-old, could be seen laughing at the sweet exchange between her son and the former rugby player.

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