50 Strict Rules the Royal Family Has to Follow

Not married? No tiaras for you.

21 March, 2018
50 Strict Rules the Royal Family Has to Follow

Not married? No tiaras for you.

When the Queen stands, you stand.

When the Queen stands, it's protocol for everyone to follow. 

1When the Queen stands, you stand.

When the Queen stands, it's protocol for everyone to follow. 

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No one can eat after the Queen has finished her meal.

When dining as a family, after the Queen has taken her last bite, everyone needs to stop eating.

2No one can eat after the Queen has finished her meal.

When dining as a family, after the Queen has taken her last bite, everyone needs to stop eating.

Bowing and curtseying is a requirement.

Men of the royal family preform a neck bow, while women curtsey when greeting the Queen.

3Bowing and curtseying is a requirement.

Men of the royal family preform a neck bow, while women curtsey when greeting the Queen.

Marriage comes with a new name.

Members of the Royal Family take a new name when they're married

4Marriage comes with a new name.

Members of the Royal Family take a new name when they're married

PDA is looked down upon, especially while traveling.

The Royal Family even refrain from holding hands.

5PDA is looked down upon, especially while traveling.

The Royal Family even refrain from holding hands.

Approval is needed before a proposal.

According to the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, royal descendants must seek the monarch's approval before proposing. 

6Approval is needed before a proposal.

According to the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, royal descendants must seek the monarch's approval before proposing. 

A Royal wedding bouquet must contain myrtle.

Every royal bride carries myrtle in her wedding bouquet. 

7A Royal wedding bouquet must contain myrtle.

Every royal bride carries myrtle in her wedding bouquet. 

Every Royal wedding party must include a crop of children.

Royal wedding parties are usually made up of younger children.

8Every Royal wedding party must include a crop of children.

Royal wedding parties are usually made up of younger children.

Until 2011, the Royal Family was prohibited from marrying a Roman Catholic.

Now, the family can marry someone of any faith.

9Until 2011, the Royal Family was prohibited from marrying a Roman Catholic.

Now, the family can marry someone of any faith.

The family can't have political views.

The Royal Family isn't allowed to vote or speak publicly about politics. 

10The family can't have political views.

The Royal Family isn't allowed to vote or speak publicly about politics. 

Nor can they run for office.

Since voting is off the table, members of the Royal Family aren't allowed to hold any type of political office.

11Nor can they run for office.

Since voting is off the table, members of the Royal Family aren't allowed to hold any type of political office.

Monopoly is a forbidden board game amongst the Royal Family.

Quite possibly the weirdest rule, the Royal Family can't play Monopoly. (Though we imagine this is a "rule" that can be broken.) 

12Monopoly is a forbidden board game amongst the Royal Family.

Quite possibly the weirdest rule, the Royal Family can't play Monopoly. (Though we imagine this is a "rule" that can be broken.) 

Dinner conversations are formulated.

At dinner parties, the Queen begins by speaking to the person seated to her right. During the second course of the meal, she switches to the guest on her left. 

13Dinner conversations are formulated.

At dinner parties, the Queen begins by speaking to the person seated to her right. During the second course of the meal, she switches to the guest on her left. 

When a Royal travels abroad, they're required to pack an all-black outfit.

Every family member must be prepared with a funeral-appropriate ensemble, in case of a sudden death. 

14When a Royal travels abroad, they're required to pack an all-black outfit.

Every family member must be prepared with a funeral-appropriate ensemble, in case of a sudden death. 

 Two heirs aren't allowed to travel together.

Once Prince George turns 12, he and Harry will have to fly separately. 

15 Two heirs aren't allowed to travel together.

Once Prince George turns 12, he and Harry will have to fly separately. 

The family isn't allowed to sign autographs or take selfies.

Don't even think about approaching them with that selfie stick.

16The family isn't allowed to sign autographs or take selfies.

Don't even think about approaching them with that selfie stick.

The family can't eat shellfish.

Shellfish is off limits to the family, namely because it is more likely to cause food poisoning than others. 

17The family can't eat shellfish.

Shellfish is off limits to the family, namely because it is more likely to cause food poisoning than others. 

You can't touch a Royal.

It's rumored that the royal family can't be touched by non-royals, and Kate's awkward reaction to LeBron James throwing his arm around her in a photo is full-blown proof. 

18You can't touch a Royal.

It's rumored that the royal family can't be touched by non-royals, and Kate's awkward reaction to LeBron James throwing his arm around her in a photo is full-blown proof. 

They can't wear fur.

In the 12th century, King Edward III banned all royals from wearing fur—but this rule has been repeatedly broken.

19They can't wear fur.

In the 12th century, King Edward III banned all royals from wearing fur—but this rule has been repeatedly broken.

Event seating is very much planned.

Seating is arranged by order of precedence at all royal events, but factors like age, language, and interests go into account when organizing events. 

20Event seating is very much planned.

Seating is arranged by order of precedence at all royal events, but factors like age, language, and interests go into account when organizing events. 

In fact, there's an entire office dedicated to the organizing of guests.

The Office of the Marshal of the Court refer to themselves as "mini hosts."

21In fact, there's an entire office dedicated to the organizing of guests.

The Office of the Marshal of the Court refer to themselves as "mini hosts."

The Royal Family must adhere to a strict dress code.

The Royal Family's dress code is modest, and no members are seen in casual clothing. 

22The Royal Family must adhere to a strict dress code.

The Royal Family's dress code is modest, and no members are seen in casual clothing. 

Women must wear hats to all formal events.

The fancier, the better.

23Women must wear hats to all formal events.

The fancier, the better.

After 6 p.m., hats are off and tiaras are on.

If an event is held indoors after 6 p.m., women swap their hats for tiaras.

24After 6 p.m., hats are off and tiaras are on.

If an event is held indoors after 6 p.m., women swap their hats for tiaras.

But, tiaras are reserved for married women.

A woman who attends an event sans tiara is on the market.

25But, tiaras are reserved for married women.

A woman who attends an event sans tiara is on the market.

And tiaras must be angled properly.

Although tiaras were traditionally worn towards the front of the head, the modern style is worn farther back on the head at a

26And tiaras must be angled properly.

Although tiaras were traditionally worn towards the front of the head, the modern style is worn farther back on the head at a

The Queen's breakfast menu is nonnegotiable.
5f7ec923491a" target="_blank">45-degree angle. 

27The Queen's breakfast menu is nonnegotiable.5f7ec923491a" target="_blank">45-degree angle. 

The family must accept gifts.

Every morning, the Queen has English breakfast tea (duh) followed by Cornflakes.

28The family must accept gifts.

Every morning, the Queen has English breakfast tea (duh) followed by Cornflakes.

The Queen insists on spending a week preparing for Christmas.

The family is required to graciously accept the many (and bizarre) gifts they're given  on a regular basis. 

29The Queen insists on spending a week preparing for Christmas.

The family is required to graciously accept the many (and bizarre) gifts they're given  on a regular basis. 

The family doesn't open presents on Christmas Day.

The family's annual Christmas celebration is held at the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and she arrives a week early to prepare.

30The family doesn't open presents on Christmas Day.

The family's annual Christmas celebration is held at the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and she arrives a week early to prepare.

Garlic isn't allowed at Buckingham Palace.

Instead of opening presents on Christmas day, the Royal Family exchanges gifts in the Red Drawing Room during tea time on Christmas Eve.

31Garlic isn't allowed at Buckingham Palace.

Instead of opening presents on Christmas day, the Royal Family exchanges gifts in the Red Drawing Room during tea time on Christmas Eve.

Neither are potatoes, rice, and pasta.

It's rumored that the Queen hates garlic, so no dishes at Buckingham Palace are made with the ingredient. 

32Neither are potatoes, rice, and pasta.

It's rumored that the Queen hates garlic, so no dishes at Buckingham Palace are made with the ingredient. 

 The family is expected to learn multiple languages.

The Queen has strict rules against eating potatoes, rice, or pasta for dinner.

33 The family is expected to learn multiple languages.

The Queen has strict rules against eating potatoes, rice, or pasta for dinner.

A clean-cut, put-together image is key.

Prince George has already learned to count in Spanish.

34A clean-cut, put-together image is key.

Prince George has already learned to count in Spanish.

You can't turn your back on the Queen.

Maybe that's why Kate gets a blowout three times a week.

35You can't turn your back on the Queen.

Maybe that's why Kate gets a blowout three times a week.

Even the children are expected to be graceful.

After a conversation with the Queen has ended, she's the first to leave—no one is allowed to turn their back to her. 

36Even the children are expected to be graceful.

After a conversation with the Queen has ended, she's the first to leave—no one is allowed to turn their back to her. 

The Queen's wardrobe must be bright.

As soon as children are born into the Royal Family, they're immediately groomed to both wave and speak gracefully.

37The Queen's wardrobe must be bright.

As soon as children are born into the Royal Family, they're immediately groomed to both wave and speak gracefully.

Women are expected to sit a certain way.

The Queen is known for her bright, neon-colored outfits, as she likes to make sure she can be easily spotted in large crowds. 

38Women are expected to sit a certain way.

The Queen is known for her bright, neon-colored outfits, as she likes to make sure she can be easily spotted in large crowds. 

39If the Queen moves her purse to her right arm, her staff must cut off her conversation.

The options are legs crossed at the knee or ankle

And when she places her purse on a table, dinner is officially over.

The Queen uses her purse to send subtle signals to her staff. If she moves the purse from her left arm to her right, it's her hint that she's ready to finish her conversation. 

40And when she places her purse on a table, dinner is officially over.

The Queen uses her purse to send subtle signals to her staff. If she moves the purse from her left arm to her right, it's her hint that she's ready to finish her conversation. 

Cleavage isn't a part of the Royal dress code.

If the Queen is at dinner and she puts her purse on the table, dinner needs to come to an end within five minutes.

41Cleavage isn't a part of the Royal dress code.

If the Queen is at dinner and she puts her purse on the table, dinner needs to come to an end within five minutes.

Nicknames are completely forbidden.

Diana used her clutches as a way to hide her cleavage when exiting a car.

42Nicknames are completely forbidden.

Diana used her clutches as a way to hide her cleavage when exiting a car.

Utensil placement is very important.

Even though the press still uses Kate's nickname, she actually goes by Catherine.

43Utensil placement is very important.

Even though the press still uses Kate's nickname, she actually goes by Catherine.

As is tea-cup holding.

If royals need to exit the room during dinner, but haven't finished their food, they cross their utensils so the staff doesn't remove their plate. If they're finished with a meal, they place the utensils at an angle, with the handles at the bottom right of the plate. 

44As is tea-cup holding.

If royals need to exit the room during dinner, but haven't finished their food, they cross their utensils so the staff doesn't remove their plate. If they're finished with a meal, they place the utensils at an angle, with the handles at the bottom right of the plate. 

Chin placement isn't overlooked.

Royal Family members pinch the tea cup handle with their index finger and thumb, while their middle finger secures the bottom. 

45Chin placement isn't overlooked.

Royal Family members pinch the tea cup handle with their index finger and thumb, while their middle finger secures the bottom. 

 The Queen isn't required to have a driver's license.

Royal women need to pose with their chin parallel to the ground.

46 The Queen isn't required to have a driver's license.

Royal women need to pose with their chin parallel to the ground.

The Queen's dogs are always prepared gourmet meals.

The Queen is the only person in the U.K. who may drive without a license or plates. 

47The Queen's dogs are always prepared gourmet meals.

The Queen is the only person in the U.K. who may drive without a license or plates. 

And they're never reprimanded.

It's no secret that the Queen loves her corgis, but unlike your pets, hers are required to eat gourmet meals, prepared daily by an in-house chef and hand-delivered by a footman. 

48And they're never reprimanded.

It's no secret that the Queen loves her corgis, but unlike your pets, hers are required to eat gourmet meals, prepared daily by an in-house chef and hand-delivered by a footman. 

Prince Phillip is required to walk behind the Queen.

The Queen lets her corgis do as they please.

49Prince Phillip is required to walk behind the Queen.

The Queen lets her corgis do as they please.

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