Prince Edward breaks royal protocol with sweet gesture for supporter during solo tour of Canada
Prince Edward broke royal protocol during his solo tour of Canada, with a sweet gesture for a fan who attended one of his appearances.
The royal was visiting Prince Edward Island on June 26, when he encountered the royal supporter.
Edward, 61, was speaking with members of the public who had gathered when he was approached by a woman named Barbara Bernard, whose story was later shared on X.
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Prince Edward broke royal protocol during his solo tour of Canada. AP
She told a reporter from CBC, as per the Mariana - The Edinburghs Fan Account X account: "He came over and he was talking [to me] and the gesture of his hands went like this," she said, holding her hands out in front of her.
"So of course I said, 'That to me represents a hug.' And then he put his hands down, and then he went like that again," Bernard continued.
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The royal was visiting Prince Edward Island on June 26 when he encountered the royal supporter. CBC/X
"And then I said, 'Do you want a hug?' And he goes, 'OK!' So I got to hug him."
When asked by the reporter if Prince Edward is "a good hugger," she said he is "a very good hugger".
Barbara Bernard later shared the story via X. CBC/X
"Good for her we all need more hugging these days," one person said.
"How really cute! Nice she got to hug him, he really seems like a warm, charming guy after all so why not!" added another.
That day, Prince Edward visited the Atlantic Canada Education Forum at the Shaw Building.
He later joined a lunch for young people which was hosted by the Lieutenant Governor at Government House before visiting Abegweit First Nation at Scotchfort.
The day ended with a formal dinner at Government House.
Prince Edward's tour continues this week with a trip to Nova Scotia among others, during which he is expected to attend community events with a focus on education and charitable initiatives.
That day, Prince Edward visited the Atlantic Canada Education Forum at the Shaw Building. Getty Images for LTA
He is expected to return to the UK on July 2.
This is Prince Edward's first major solo overseas tour since he was named the Duke of Edinburgh in 2024 by his older brother King Charles, who ascended the British throne upon their mother Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022.
Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, has gained a reputation as a reliable and hardworking member of the British royal family, alongside his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Duchess Sophie didn't join her husband for his Canada trip.
The couple were last seen together at Royal Ascot earlier this month.
The couple marked their 26th wedding anniversary during Royal Ascot on June 19, having wed at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
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This is Prince Edward's first major solo overseas tour. AP
Prince Edward and wife Sophie have become steadfast working members of the British royal family. AP
The couple share two children – Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 21, and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex, 17.
Their marriage is one of the longest-lasting unions of the modern British royal family.
Prince Edward is the only child of the late Queen Elizabeth who has never been divorced.
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