Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie can wear leather and use social media but why can't Kate and Meghan?

In recent months, the nation has succumbed to ‘royal mania’ with everything from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s May 19 nuptials to Prince Louis of Cambridge‘s birth steering the headlines.

But self-confessed fans are now turning their attention to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

The regal sisters have demonstrated their hectic social calendar in recent weeks from showcasing their inimitable style at Royal Ascot 2018 to brushing shoulders with the A-list pack at the annual Serpentine summer bash.

But their recent escapades have left us wondering, do the princesses have to follow the Buckingham Palace rule book like Kate and Meghan?

Why is Princess Eugenie allowed an Instagram account?

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge share the official Kensington Palace social media accounts with newlyweds, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. From upcoming royal engagements to family announcements, the verified pages are run by a dedicated social media team.

In a similar manner, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles use the Buckingham Palace or Clarence House accounts to share news with the public.

If you cast your mind back to January 2018, Meghan Markle shut down her personal social media accounts shortly after her debut royal engagement in Brixton.

The couple also hinted that they’d stepped their relationship up a gear when the former ‘Suits’ star bid farewell to personal blog, ‘The Tig’. Although Prince Harry, who is sixth in line to the throne, is never likely to wear the crown he is still a senior member of the royal family.

Therefore, owning a personal social media account is just one of many royal rules the Duchess of Sussex has grown accustomed to in recent months.

So, why was Princess Eugenie allowed to gain her own blue tick back in March? While Beatrice boasts over 88,000 followers over her Twitter account under the nickname, @yorkiebe.

The sisters do not have full-time royal roles

Beatrice and Eugenie have full-time careers and unlike Kate and Meghan – who are solely dedicated to undertaking public engagements – they work outside of the royal circuit. Though Beatrice’s exact job title is kept under wraps, her sister is an associate director for the Hauser & Wirth art gallery in London where she has worked since 2015.

Therefore, the sisters are entitled to their own social media platforms. But when it comes to content, don’t be expecting an #OOTD post anytime soon.

Beatrice and Eugenie use their social media accounts to help raise awareness

When she joined Instagram, Eugenie informed her followers: “I hope to use this platform to share the causes, passions and people close to my heart.”

Ever since, the 28-year-old has encouraged the public to support charities such as the Teenage Cancer Trust and Sky’s Ocean Rescue campaign. Over on Twitter, Beatrice is also dedicated to spreading awareness of charities close to her heart.

From her recent triathlon in the name of charity to celebrating International Women’s Day, the 29-year-old uses her status for good.

Why can Beatrice and Eugenie break fashion protocol?

On 19 July 2018, Beatrice and Eugenie joined a gaggle of A-list guests at the Serpentine’s annual summer bash. But in a sartorial move which surprised royal fans, the sisters donned co-ordinating leather-look outfits.

Bride-to-be Eugenie was photographed arm-in-arm with future husband, Jack Brooksbank, in an 80s-inspired one-shoulder dress and leather trousers.

Meanwhile, Beatrice was spotted with a biker jacket draped over her feather-emblazoned Mary Katrantzou number in true blogger-style.

But why are the sisters allowed to eschew royal tradition while Kate and Meghan must stick to the sartorial rule book?

Beatrice and Eugenie’s place in the royal line of succession

Princess Beatrice is currently 8th in line to the throne while her younger sister sits behind her at number nine. The Duchess of Cambridge on the other hand, is the wife of a future king while their son, Prince George, is also likely to become monarch one day.

Therefore, it is expected of Kate Middleton to follow sartorial protocol from covering the shoulders on public engagements to donning flesh-hued tights with dresses.

Though sister-in-law Meghan has broken a Buckingham Palace rule or two, the newly-crowned duchess has also gotten to grips with fashion protocol.For instance, for her debut Royal Ascot appearance the 36-year-old donned a Philip Treacy hat and knee-grazing Givenchy shirt dress. She has since swapped her penchant for cross-body Strathberry bags and her trademark messy bun in favour of dainty clutches and a slick chignon

Royal expert, Richard Fitzwilliams, told Yahoo Style UK: “Beatrice and Eugenie looked stylish last night. Obviously the further up the royal pecking order you are the more you have to adhere to certain codes of behaviour.”

He continued, “Members of the royal family often have a distinctive style but, as with the wearing of jeans which are obviously not de rigueur on official occasions can be worn for events that are less formal, where it is thought appropriate or when playing sports.”

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Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

How Meghan Markle is switching up the royal fashion game

Princess Beatrice follows in Diana’s Met Gala footsteps: A brief history of royals on the red carpet

Princess Eugenie’s wedding: Who she’s marrying and all the latest news