The way that technology has advanced and changed our world over the past several decades is undeniable.

People spend more and more time with their face glued to a digital screen, whether it be a phone, tablet, or laptop, and the phrase, “If it isn’t posted (online), it didn’t really happen”, has become widely accepted as a norm.

While many people are not thrilled with the extreme prevalence that technology has in our daily lives, one member of the royal family, Princess Anne, is making her frustration known regarding the growing dependence and prevalence of technology in a new documentary.

Offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at life as part of the Royal Family, the upcoming documentary, Queen of the World, also features Princess Anne, 68, sharing her thoughts on how technology impacts royal duties.

Put Away the Phones and Tablets!

Throughout Queen of the World, set to air on HBO on October 1, audiences witness a multitude of behind the scenes footage and commentary featuring various members of the Royal Family like Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Princess Anne; Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; and the Countess of Wessex.

While the documentary (as a whole) focuses on the importance and significance of the Commonwealth to the Queen and how she imparts her knowledge and experience to younger generations, there are plenty of candid moments where individual members of the Royal Family offer commentary on how the role of the Queen, and the Royal Family members, has changed over the years.

Princess Anne, in particular, had several thoughts on how the royal duties have changed in her lifetime, specifically exploring the act of walking out and meeting fans during royal tours.

The tradition of meeting and greeting royal fans while on tour really never existed prior to the Queen’s reign, with Princess Anne explaining in the documentary, “We never shook hands, the theory was you can’t shake hands with everybody, so don’t start. So, I kind of stick with that [now], but I notice others don’t. It’s not for me to say it’s wrong. I think the initial concept was that it was patently absurd to start shaking hands. It seems to me that it’s become a shaking hands exercise rather than a walkabout if you see what I mean. It has changed.”

Increased desire to interact with fans isn’t the only change that has occurred over the years; Princess Anne points out that modern technology has severely impacted the way that the Royals and fans interact – and it has not been a positive impact.

“I’m glad I’m not starting now because at least you [previously] had people to talk to – now you don’t really. Phones are bad enough but the iPads, you can’t even see their heads! You don’t know who you’re talking to. I either don’t bother, or I say ‘look, if you want to meet us, I suggest you put that down’!”

Princess Anne continues on in the documentary, touching on the unfortunate growing idea that a person cannot really experience something without recording it on their phone, “It’s weird. People don’t think they’ve experienced the event unless they’ve taken a photograph. Usually you’re standing immediately in front of them.”

So, if you ever get the chance to meet the Royal Family, you might want to heed Princess Anne’s advice and keep your phone, in your pocket!

You can learn more about the Royal Family and the Queen’s relationship with the Commonwealth by tuning in on October 1 to HBO for Queen of the World.

Do you feel that people are too dependent on technology nowadays? Would you want to use your phone if you had the opportunity to meet the Royal Family? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!