Royal family introduces social media rules following online abuse of Meghan and Kate

In an unprecedented move, the Royal Family has introduced a set of social media rules in order to create a "safe environment".

Under the new rules, users posting abusive comments will be blocked or reported to police, and comments in breach of the guidelines will be hidden or deleted.

The move comes after reports that royal staff are inundated with abusive comments aimed at Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton. The guidelines will apply to comments posted on channels run by the Royal Family, Kensington Palace, and Clarence House.

Comments must not "promote discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age."

"Comments must not: contain spam, be defamatory of any person, deceive others, be obscene, offensive, threatening, abusive, hateful, inflammatory or promote sexually explicit material or violence," the guidelines read.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"We ask that anyone engaging with our social media channels shows courtesy, kindness and respect for all other members of our social media communities," the guidelines continue.

Per these rules, anyone engaging with any of the royal family's social media channels will be subject to these requirements.

Anyone in breach of these rules will be blocked or even reported to the authorities.

"We reserve the right to hide or delete comments made on our channels, as well as block users who do not follow these guidelines," reads the guidelines.

"We also reserve the right to send any comments we deem appropriate to law enforcement authorities for investigation as we feel necessary or is required by law."