On Tuesday, some of the most prominent members of the royal family gathered in Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Prince Charles' investiture as the Prince of Wales. The celebrant, along with the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were all in tow.

As they entered a room where mementos from the investiture ceremony were displayed, the famous clan walked in together as a group. One royal watcher (@gertsroyals) even pointed out that they did not enter based on Order of Precedence, or royal rank: Prince Charles walked next to the Queen instead of behind her, Duchess Kate appeared to be ahead of Prince William, and at one point, Harry and Meghan seemed to walk ahead of the pack (although they ultimately paused and waited for the rest of the family to surpass them).

Is there an official rule about how royals should make their entrances at all?

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You will notice Charles enter the room ahead of the Queen, Kate is in front Will. Sussexs lead group out of the room.



As I said last week the idea that the senior Royal always needs to enter/leave first for informal events is a thing of the past. pic.twitter.com/HZIJfIWqh5 — Gert's Royals (@Gertsroyals) March 5, 2019

Yes, but it depends on the occasion, Marlene Koenig, royal historian and founder of the Royal Musings blog, tells BAZAAR.com: "A true order of precedence really only takes shape at state and diplomatic events." The rules are "much more formal" at such festivities, unlike Tuesday's celebration, she explained over email.

It was appropriate for Charles to walk with the Queen in this instance.

"This was a morning reception that honored the Prince of Wales, so it made sense that he entered with his mother as they looked at the items with the Cambridges behind them and then the Sussexes," Koenig adds. "I believe Princess Anne entered separately and joined the guests. As they entered the room, an aide took the Sussexes into the reception, leaving the Cambridges to follow Camilla, who was 'behind' the Queen, and look at the exhibition. Harry did not need to stop and look at the items as William did because William will one day be Prince of Wales."

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It's not like Prince Charles took the lead the whole time; while greeting guests at other parts of the ceremony, he was seen behind the Queen in line. He was also followed by his wife Duchess Camila, then his sons and daughters-in-law, following order.

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The Queen usually arrives last to weddings and services.

"If this were a wedding or a Thanksgiving service, the Queen is the last to arrive," Koenig tells BAZAAR.com. The monarch usually makes her entrance before the bride. "Charles and Camilla arrive before her, with the Cambridges before them, and so on," she adds.

At Meghan and Harry's wedding last May, the sovereign did, in fact, arrive after Charles and Camilla. However, the bridesmaids and page boys arrived after her to accompany Meghan down the aisle.

Regardless, royals in general are usually the last guests to arrive to events. "When it is a formal event, a state dinner, attending the ballet (sitting in the royal box), a reception, a wedding, the royals are the last to arrive," Koenig says.

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However, Her Majesty enters first at state dinners.

You might've noticed that in photos from Buckingham Palace receptions with foreign dignitaries, the Queen usually leads the procession to dinner.

"At state dinners, all of the guests are in their seats before the royals arrive," Koenig points out. "The Queen enters first followed by other royals. She will walk with the head of state."

For a Buckingham Palace state dinner celebrating President Xi Jinping of China, Prince Philip walked behind the Queen, followed by the Cambridges and the few other royals, Koenig notes. While hosting the royal couple of the Netherlands, Her Majesty walked with King Willem Alexander and Charles was with Queen Maxima behind them.



The Queen walks with Nicolas Sarkozy, former president of France, followed by Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Prince Philip in 2008. Tim Graham Getty Images

The Queen walks with former President Barack Obama followed by former First Lady Michelle Obama and Prince Philip in Buckingham Palace in 2011. Chris Jackson Getty Images

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