The British Royal Family is an ancient lineage stretching back to King Æthelstan in 927 A.D. Currently, it is led by King Charles III and his close relatives in the House of Windsor. Heavy is the head that wears the crown and we’ve all seen the Royal Family on the news, waving at events and attending various galas, charity balls, and formal processions.
But, have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes, away from the cameras of the BBC, NBC, CNN, and Fox? This list will take you through the “Royal Rules” that all Family members must follow, both for decorum’s sake and to protect their privacy.
1. Monopoly Is a Forbidden Board Game Among the Family
Reason: It gets too vicious
Exception: None
All of us have sat around the table and played Monopoly before, and we all know how intense the game can get. Even among loved ones, someone landing on someone else’s property, one person refusing to make all deals, and another hoarding land can cause major disagreements.
The Royal Family is not exempt from this phenomenon, as Prince Andrew confessed that they are “not allowed” to play it, not even at Christmas time. Apparently, Monopoly games get far “too vicious” among the Royals, leading to nasty family arguments.
2. When the King Stands, So Do You
Reason: To honor and defer to the King
Exception: None.
The King of England is exactly that—the head of state. The Royal Rules on this list are all about showing deference to and honoring this sacred position, which has been around for over one-thousand years.
The Royals have kept their formality, and visitors to one of the House of Windsor’s strongholds are expected to abide by these formal guidelines. For example, when King Charles III stands, everyone else does, and no one sits until he sits, either.
[i]3. There Are No Autographs Allowed
Reason: Risk of someone forging a Royal signature
Exception: None
Prince William, Kate Middleton, King Charles, and other Royal Family members often have swarms of well-wishers at whatever event they attend. In 2023, Princess Kate to (politely, of course) decline a request for her autograph.[/i]
She said the reason was, “Just one of those rules.” The prohibition against Royals signing autographs makes sense, due to the risk of these Royal signatures being copied or forged. Regular people have a hard enough time warding off identity theft at their local PNC, Chase, or Key Bank—can you imagine how hard a time the Royals must have?
4. Two Heirs Cannot Fly Together
Reason: To preserve the line of succession
Exception: Young children (such as Prince George)
The line of succession is a huge deal for the Royal Family, as it determines who will inherit the throne. Common law, religion, legitimacy, and gender have determined this succession, and the pathway to the throne has caused bloody battles throughout the centuries.
But, things have calmed down amongst the Royal Family (somewhat), though there are still strict rules in place to preserve the line. For example, two direct heirs cannot travel by plane together, lest the worst case scenario occur. The only exception is for small children, as they need to be accompanied by a parent. Far from traveling on a JetBlue or British Airways flight, the Royals prefer their own private jet.
5. You Can’t Touch a Royal
Reason: It’s a sign of respect for their elevated status
Exception: If they offer a hug or handshake first
According to the official monarchy website, there are no “official” rules or codes of conduct when encountering a member of the Royal Family. That said, there are certainly some expectations in place. For one, it is best to avoid physical contact with the Royals.
The late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, set this precedent. If a Royal offers a hug or handshake, you can engage, but it is best to wait and see, rather than initiate the contact yourself.
6. Public Display of Affection( PDA ) Is Frowned Upon
Reason: PDA is too informal
Exception: Handholding, a pat on the back.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip set this precedent, which encourages people to keep their hands to themselves. It’s not only encouraged that civilians not touch the Royal Family; even the Royal Family can’t touch the Royal Family.
Royals must behave professionally and formally in public, which is why you rarely see them engage in PDA. Sometimes, they might hold hands or lightly pat each other on the back, but there is no kissing and cuddling in public.
[i]7. Everyone Gets Weighed Before and After Christmas Dinner
Reason: To make sure guests got enough to eat
[i]Exception: None.[/i]
Those who watched Spencer will know about this tradition, and it wasn’t just dramatization for the movies. Christmas dinner is a bit of a contest of sorts, though it’s not one most of us would want to join in on.[/i]
The Royal Family weighs people before and after Christmas dinner, a tradition that has taken place since the early 1900s. The tradition is to see how much weight everyone gained after the big meal, so as to ensure that each guest got enough to eat. Apparently, the last thing you want to do in the WWE or the Royal Family is be a lightweight.
8. They Must Accept All Gifts Graciously
Reason: It’s part of the Royal etiquette protocol
Exception: They can’t accept gifts that would place them “under obligation”
We’ve all received a gift we didn’t want before and had to smile and say thank you, knowing we’d donate or regift it when we got home. Such is the case with the Royal Family, too. They are often showered with gifts when they go on tours and official visits.
They must always accept presents from countries’ organizations and leaders graciously, no matter the gift or who gives it. King Charles III gives the final say on who gets to keep what, and many gifts are currently housed in the Royal Collection, a museum of Royal Family treasures that has been around since 1660.
9. Until 2011, the Royal Family Was Prohibited from Marrying a Roman Catholic
Reason: A Royal Decree passed during war-torn England in 1701
Exception: It was overturned, finally, in 2011
In 1701, a decree was passed that banned Royal Family members from marrying Roman Catholics. Though England was a Catholic country during the 1500s, the sixteenth-century Reformation and seventeenth-century civil wars turned it into Europe’s leading Protestant power by 1750.
France and Catholic Spain were England’s top enemies during the eighteenth century. Interestingly, this decree stayed in power all the way up until 2011, when the Royal Family did away with the prohibition once and for all.
10. Prince Philip Was Required to Walk Behind the Queen
Reason: The Orders of Precedence demand it
Exception: Informal situations.
When you look at pictures of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, you might have noticed that, for the most part, he was always a few steps behind her. That is because Prince Philip was a consort—not a King.
Because of the Order of Precedence, his rank to the Queen was lower, so he had to show deference to the Order by trailing behind her when they were out together. Time will tell as to whether this tradition will carry on with Queen Consort Camilla and King Charles. The label WBD gave the Prince in 2012 was, simply, “The man behind the queen.”
11. The Monarch Is Not Allowed to Sit on a Foreign Throne
Reason: Mark of respect for the British monarchy
Exception: None, not even for fictional thrones
This is a longstanding, ancient tradition rather than a law (but it could be argued that the two have equal amounts of force). The tradition mandates that British monarchs only sit on British thrones, never foreign ones.
According to Stack Exchange and other publications, this law is an “age-old mark of respect.” Queen Elizabeth took this rule very seriously. When she was invited to the Game of Thrones set, she even politely refused to take a seat on the Iron Throne (though she did marvel at its design).
12. Approval Is Needed Before a Proposal
Reason: The Royal Marriages Act 1772
Exception: No, if married without they lose their place in the line of succession
In 1772, the Royal Marriages Act was passed that laid down ground rules for Royal engagements, nuptials, and more. One major rule, which is still followed today, states that Royal descendants are required to seek the approval of a monarch before they propose.
Both Prince William and Harry had to ask the permission of Queen Elizabeth II before they proposed, and future Royal weddings will have to go through King Charles. The reason behind this rule is simple: the Royals want to ensure no weddings will diminish the House of Windsor’s status. The New York Times’ archives still have articles from the early ‘80s about the “pros” and “cons” of Charles’ proposing to Diana.
13. Royal Family Are Not Allowed to Vote.
Reason: They have to be “above” political matters
Exception: None
Have you ever noticed that the Royal Family never voices their political opinions? You don’t hear them going to bat for the Labour or Conservative parties, and there is a very good reason why.
As a constitutional monarch, King Charles III and the House of Windsor must remain “above” the world of politics. Surely, they have their own political views, but they cannot voice them publicly, and they also do not vote (nor can they write lengthy Facebook political diatribe posts, either).
14. Colored Nail Polish on Women Is a Major No-no
Reason: Appears to be a Royal preference
Exception: It’s not enforced too strictly
This one is a bit debatable, as some say it isn’t true, while others swear it is. It is fair to say that the Royal Family has strict rules about style, and many Royal women have chosen to wear neutral tones to many formal occasions.
That said, this rule, which some say the late Queen put in place, doesn’t seem to be applied to stringently, as Princess Kate has rocked red nails on occasion. Perhaps this is best described as a Royal preference, rather than a hardline Rule.
15. A Royal Wedding Bouquet Must Contain Myrtle
Reason: It symbolizes luck, fidelity, and love
Exception: None
Myrtus communis, better known as Myrtle, is a flowering evergreen shrub that is native to Europe, West Asia, India, North Africa, and Micronesia. It is beautiful, and there is a Royal tradition that requires all wedding bouquets to have this flower in them.
After Queen Victoria got married, she planted myrtles from her own wedding bouquet in her personal garden. The plant has thrived over a century later, and it is still used in Royal weddings to this day. Reportedly, myrtle symbolizes fidelity, luck, and, of course, love
16. Marriage Comes With a New Name
Reason: It’s part of Royal protocol
Exception: None
As this list has proved thus far, there are quite a few strict rules that the Royal Family must follow, particularly when it comes to marriage. For example, there is no keeping your maiden name when you get married as a Royal woman.
Women who marry Royal men in the line of succession must take their husbands’ titles. In the late 1910s, King George V chose to make “Windsor” the Royal surname, titled after Windsor Castle. And so it has remained ever since, with women marrying into the Royal family legally taking that surname upon their nuptials.
17. Only Married Women Wear Tiaras
Reason: Donning a tiara is a sign of “adulthood”
Exception: None
Diamond tiaras aren’t something you can just throw on willy-nilly, even if you are a member of the Royal Family. The Royal Family’s jewelry collection is worth millions, with diamond tiaras making up some of the most expensive pieces of the bunch.
Tiaras are only to be worn at nighttime at the most formal events (this makes sense, as they wouldn’t exactly make a sensible accessory for a trip to McDonald’s). Only married women are permitted to wear these million-dollar accessories, which is why you never saw Kate Middleton down one until she got hitched to Prince William.
18. Every Royal Wedding Party Must Include a Crop of Children
Reason: It’s British tradition
Exception: They can have a best man/maid of honor
If you’ve ever noticed, pictures of Royal wedding parties tend to have a lot of kids in them. In some weddings in the States, brides and grooms request that there be no kids allowed, but that would be a major no-no in the Royal Family.
Elle states that it is British tradition to have kids as pageboys and bridesmaids. Though Royal weddings can have maids of honor, they don’t have the usual bridesmaid/groomsmen arrangements that most other nuptials have.
19. The Family Can’t Have Political Views or Speak Publicly on Them
Reason: They have to be above politics
Exception: Humanitarian causes (banning landmines, for example)
As stated on this list, the Royal Family does not vote, as they are all expected to stay above politics. They don’t get down in the mire with the MPs, as these heads of state must keep neutral on any and all political matters.
While the Royal Family can advocate for general humanitarian causes (the kind that cannot be debated), they are not allowed to voice their political opinions on tax bills, pressing issues, or controversies. The media has often run itself ragged trying to speculate on which way the Royal family leans, to no avail.
20. Dinner Conversations Are Formulated
Reason: It preserves the etiquette of the event
Exception: None
When dining with the Royal Family, there are strict rules in place for dinner conversations. King Charles, for example, talks to the person on his right during the first course. During the second course, he then turns to the person on his left to have a conversation.
Elsewhere at the table, people are expected to quietly have a conversation with the person seated next to them—there will be no yelling across the table to get a point across. The King is careful about his seat selection, preferring to sit with people with whom he knows he will have an interesting conversation.
21. The Family Can’t Eat Shellfish
Reason: The risk of food poisoning is too high
Exception: King Charles III sometimes can’t resist
Shellfish and rare meat are both major culprits for food poisoning, an ailment that can cause cramps, nausea, vomiting, and a host of other unpleasant symptoms. In severe cases, food poisoning can even be fatal, particularly for those who are elderly or infirm.
Though not a hardline “law,” the Royal Household largely stays away from shellfish and raw meat because of their tendency to cause illness. That said, according to reports, King Charles III occasionally cannot resist the allure of these risky foods.
22. They Leave the Table Discreetly
Reason: Disrupting dinner is a no-no
Exception: An emergency situation (choking, heart attack, etc.)
“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” is an announcement you’re not likely to hear when dining with the Royal Family. One custom during Royal dinner is to always be discreet if you need to excuse yourself from the table.
While bathroom breaks are inevitable, it is expected that a Royal slip away as quietly as possible and return, equally-discreetly, to his or her seat. This rule is put in place so as not to disrupt the formality and etiquette of the dinner (hey, at least they don’t ban bathroom breaks outright).
23. No One Can Eat After the King Has Finished His Meal
Reason: It’s considered part of dining etiquette to show respect
Exception: None
There are plenty of Royal Rules that go with a formal dinner. While gathering around the table as a family might seem like it could be casual, such is not the case for the Royals.
For example, when dining with King Charles III, no one can start eating until he begins. Likewise, no one can continue eating after he finishes eating, no matter if the meal is takeaway from KFC or a ten-course dinner.
According to Tasting Table, the late Queen was known to push her food around on her plate, even when she was full, so as to give everyone else a chance to finish
24. They Can’t Wear Fur
Reason: The Fur Act of 1337
Exception: None
The Fur Act was passed in 1337 during King Edward III’s reign. Enacted for class-distinction reasons, it banned people who weren’t barons, earls, knights, or Church of England prelates from wearing fur. The only exceptions were those wealthy civilians who spend more than $124 a year.
This included Royal Family members, too. For seven centuries, the Royal Family has held fast to this rule. Additionally, the Act also required all British people to wear Britain-made cloth, though the Royals have largely discarded that part of the law.
This included Royal Family members, too. For seven centuries, the Royal Family has held fast to this rule. Additionally, the Act also required all British people to wear Britain-made cloth, though the Royals have largely discarded that part of the law.
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