Traditionally, the Royal Family have adhered to a strict rule of not displaying emotion in public.

Queen Mary insisted that her granddaughter maintain a serious demeanor, as she believed it was inappropriate for monarchs to smile before their subjects.

Once in power, however, Queen Elizabeth challenged this custom and frequently displayed her sense of humour throughout her 70-year reign.

And the rest of her family have followed suit, as these pictures show.  

+22
View gallery

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip enjoy a chuckle at Windsor Castle in 2003 as she walks past him while he is dressed in traditional uniform. A swarm of bees had caused concern prior to the Queen’s Company Review

+22
View gallery

At Trooping the Colour 2022, young Prince Louis was overwhelmed by the roaring flypast, covering his ears and screaming in response. And in the background, the Queen couldn’t help but smile

+22
View gallery

Queen Elizabeth II caused a sensation worldwide by appearing alongside James Bond (portrayed by Daniel Craig) during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games

+22
View gallery

A grinning Camilla startles Charles by holding a sizeable knife in the air during a visit to a winery in Australia

+22
View gallery

Prince William demonstrated his considerate side as he fanned his wife during the sweltering conditions as the 2014 Commonwealth Games

+22
View gallery

A 10-year-old  schoolboy couldn’t contain his excitement when he met Queen Camilla earlier this month

+22
View gallery

Charles and Camilla crack up as they watch a performance of traditional Inuit throat singing in Canada in 2017

+22
View gallery

Prince Harry shares popcorn with a child while attending the sitting volleyball competition at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto

+22
View gallery

Prince Philip proves that he can still make the ladies leap by slinking up behind ITN royal correspondent Romilly Weeks as she delivers a live report to camera in Malta in 2007

+22
View gallery

Queen Elizabeth II and her son, Charles, crack up while watching the children’s sack race at the 2012 Braemar Highland Gathering

+22
View gallery

An awkward encounter: Football manager Sam Allardyce stands in front of Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at the Cheltenham Festival, March 2024

+22
View gallery

Prince Harry seems to be full of enthusiasm during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as he gestures a thumbs-up to the camera

+22
View gallery

Prince George is caught gossiping with his cousin Savannah Phillips (left) at the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in 2018

+22
View gallery

Prince Harry emulates Usain Bolt’s signature gesture following a 100-metre race against the world record holder in Jamaica in 2012

+22
View gallery

Prince William attempts to take a booking at an Indian restaurant in Birmingham, much to Catherine’s amusement, 2023

+22
View gallery

Diana, Princess of Wales, enjoys a joyful moment with Prince Harry on the Depth Charge ride at Thorpe Park in 1992

+22
View gallery

Prince Harry fails to keep a straight face as his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, reviews him and his fellow officers during The Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst

+22
View gallery

The Queen smiles warmly at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts student Julie Thompson (right) following her performance at Buckingham Palace, 1998

+22
View gallery

Charles hilariously reacts after a large lizard landed on his trousers during a visit to the Orokonui Eco sanctuary with Camilla in New Zealand, 2015

+22
View gallery

Queen Elizabeth photobombs a selfie taken by two players from the Australian women’s hockey team on the first day of the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, 2014

+22
View gallery

23-month-old Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon steals the limelight from Queen Camilla during a visit to a bakery in Northern Ireland in March this year