20 times the royals were caught on their phones in public


They're just as addicted as we are!


royals on their phones
Jenni McKnight
Jenni McKnightUS Lifestyle Editor
July 6, 2021
Kate Middleton, wearing a white top and blue skirt, looks at her phone next to a suited man.© Photo: Getty Images

When it comes to the royal family, there's no denying that most people's lives are worlds apart – which is why many of us take great pleasure when we discover we actually share some similarities with one of the most famous families on the planet!

Take simple pleasures like using our mobile phones for example; almost everyone has one. Whether you think it's good or bad to be glued to a handheld device for hours on end, we're all guilty of it at some stage – including the royals!

From the Duke of Sussex to the Countess of Wessex, let's take a look at some of the royals who are just as addicted to their phones as us. 

READ: 17 fabulous photos of the Queen and her family at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

The Duchess of Cambridge

The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted looking at a mobile phone while attending day five of Wimbledon 2021. It's not clear however if it was her own or whether it belonged to one of her guests sat next to her, which included former tennis star, Tim Henman. 

WATCH: Kate Middleton answers questions during rare Q&A

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, smiling in a blue shirt in a room.

The Duke of Cambridge

Prince William started his new job as patron of the National Emergencies Trust  in April 2020, and he appeared very committed to the role. William made calls to small charities in Yorkshire and Wales in order to thank those who volunteer for them for their hard work, and in a brief moment, the Duke was spotted clutching onto his mobile phone. Perhaps he was waiting for a text from a family member? Or maybe he was simply using the device to keep track of who he was talking to, he did make a lot of calls, after all.  

MORE: How Kate Middleton nails diplomatic dressing during her royal tours

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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, looking down at his phone, walks beside Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, who is smiling.© Photo: Getty Images

The Duke of Sussex  

Instagram turned ten last year (we're just as shocked) but before Prince Harry launched his now-defunct official page alongside wife Meghan Markle, @SussexRoyal, in 2019, who's to say he didn't have a sneaky private account to keep in touch with all of his Eton boys – or polo players, or A-list friends, we could go on… Back in 2015, Harry looked particularly engrossed in his phone, much to the amusement of older brother Prince William. By the look of his thumb placement, we bet he was getting ready for a quick double-tap on one lucky person's Insta photo (probably, maybe). 

MORE: Royals' favourite takeaways revealed: the Queen's chips to Prince William's curry

Pippa Middleton and Autumn Phillips, both holding iPhones, smiling and taking photos.© Photo: Getty Images

Pippa Middleton and Autumn Phillips

You know when you're at a fun event and someone in front of you is filming it and watching it through their phone instead of IRL – Pippa Middleton and Autumn Phillips are those people! To be fair to Autumn, Peter Phillips' former wife, she appears to be doing both while attending a wheelchair rugby match during The Invictus Games in 2014. 

MORE: 16 photos of the royals' sweetest and funniest moments with animals

Woman with long hair in a ponytail talking on a cell phone with a family photo case.© Photo: Rex

Crown Princess Victoria

You can be forgiven for being glued to your phone when your cover is an adorable photo of your children. Just ask Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden – although, we suspect that photo has probably been upgraded now; it was taken in 2018, after all. Incidentally, her husband Prince Daniel's phone cover features a picture of Victoria and their two kids. Too. Cute.

Zara Tindall on a dark horse, wearing a blue jacket and helmet, holding a phone.© Photo: Rex

Zara Tindall

We all know Zara Tindall is an excellent equestrian, but even her horse couldn't tempt her away from her iPhone after she competed on Gladstone in the dressage at the Burnham Horse Trials in 2019. Perhaps they posted the results online…

Man in military uniform on phone next to woman in red dress and pink hat.© Photo: Rex

Prince Laurent

Now probably wasn't the best time for Prince Laurent, brother of the Belgian King Philippe, to be glued to his phone...

Man in blue suit and striped tie using smartphone, surrounded by others in formal attire.© Photo: Rex

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark

If we were sitting in the royal box on Centre Court at Wimbledon, we’d be taking a photo too! Probably a selfie though.

Charles, Prince of Wales, in a green suit, sits in a car with a woman in a red hat.© Photo: Rex

Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall

It's great to see that the royals also follow the law when it comes to not using your mobile phone while driving. Camilla, quite rightly, takes a phone call while Prince Charles concentrates behind the wheel 

Anne, Princess Royal, stands on grass, talking on a cell phone, holding a walking stick.© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Anne

An iPhone just isn’t enough for Princess Anne, she also likes to communicate through a walkie-talkie too! 

MORE: Where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could live in Malibu

Woman with long hair in black dress and studded belt talking on a phone.© Photo: Rex

Princess Beatrice

Do you think Princess Beatrice is trying to track down her Uber driver? We’re so alike!

James Blunt stands with two women, one in a trench coat, as they take a selfie.© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Eugenie

At last! Princess Eugenie likes to take selfies with famous people too. Although, someone should tell James Blunt that. Smile!

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, stands behind others, holding a smartphone, wearing a hat and scarf.© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Michael of Kent

Despite the A-list company of the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Eugenie, Prince Andrew, Prince Philip and the Countess of Wessex, Princess Michael of Kent was far more interested in photographing the carnival parade during the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016. She probably got the selfies in earlier.

Prince William and Prince Harry sit with Charles, Prince of Wales, all smiling and looking at a phone.© Photo: Getty Images

Prince William, Prince Charles, Prince Harry

We want to watch whatever video it is that made Prince Charles chuckle so hard. Honestly, how heartwarming is this family moment?

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, talks on a phone next to Kate Middleton, both wearing Team GB attire.© Photo: Getty Images

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

At least someone is watching the Eventing Cross Country Equestrian event at the 2012 Olympics. 

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands taking a selfie with a smartphone.© Photo: Getty Images

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands isn't letting a #nofilter go to waste during a trip to Palacio da Vila in Sintra, Portugal. 

Sarah, Duchess of York, in yellow dress and green hat, talking on phone.© Photo: Getty Images

Sarah Ferguson

We'd love to experience Royal Ascot the way the royals do. But Sarah, Duchess of York, looks slightly more distracted by the races than her conversation.  

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, smiling and taking a photo with a smartphone.© Photo: Getty Images

Sophie Wessex

Sophie is just like every other doting mum – filming her son playing on an inflatable slide, again and again and again and again…

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, in sunglasses and a blue jacket, talks on a dog-themed phone.© Photo: Getty Images

Countess of Wessex

She may be at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, but judging by Sophie Wessex's phone cover, she'd be far more involved if she were attending Crufts. So cute!

Zara Tindall in a blue cap and jacket, talking on a phone, with a young girl in a striped dress beside her.© Photo: Getty Images

Zara Tindall and Mia Tindall

Zara Tindall looks slightly more engrossed in her conversation than on the Eventing. 

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