57. Royal Children Once Had No Last Names
Reason: It was a tradition up until the 1900s
Exception: Post-1900s, there was no need
This is an interesting tradition that is, as of now, in the past. Up until the 1900s, Royal children did not have their own last names. They were referred to by the House from which they came, not their actual surname.
Royal Children Once Had No Last Names ©Tim Graham/Getty Images
Then, the Royals began homeschooling their children until Princess Diana sent the Princes to private school. Now, there is no need for House-originated last names. For example, when Prince George is at school, he is referred to as George Cambridge, not George Windsor.
58. It’s Expected For Royal Men To Enlist In The Military
Reason: It shows loyalty and nationalism
Exception: Medical conditions, legitimate reasons they can’t serve
According to Royal experts, military service is not just allowed for members of the Royal Family, it is also expected of the men. The men are expected to enlist in the country’s military as a show of loyalty and nationalism.
It’s Expected For Royal Men To Enlist In The Military ©Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
This tradition is “very long standing,” according to the Royal Family’s website, and members are “intimately associated” with Britain’s Armed Forces, so much so that they have been “proud” to serve in all of the military’s three branches.
59. There Are Sewing Tricks To Avoid Wardrobe Malfunctions
Reason: Prevents skirts from flipping up
Exception: Some Royals forget to use these tricks
Kate Middleton had a rather relatable wardrobe malfunction in 2011, when her skirt flipped up slightly while on an Air Force visit. This accident can happen to any of us, but one person to whom it never happened was The Queen.
There Are Sewing Tricks To Avoid Wardrobe Malfunctions ©Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Stewart Parvin, the Queen’s designer on many occasions, sewed pennyweights into her skirts’ hemlines to ensure that they wouldn’t blow up suddenly. It’s a smart trick, one any of us commoners could easily try.
60. Wearing Elaborate Hats Is Royal Tradition
Reason: It’s a sign of social status
Exception: Informal occasions
According to Diana Mather of The English Mather, it was not “the thing” for ladies to show off their hair in public in England during the first half of the twentieth century. Queen Elizabeth II was famous for her hat collection.
Wearing Elaborate Hats Is Royal Tradition ©Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Though that rule went to the wayside in the fifties, it remained a Royal tradition for women to wear hats at daytime, informal Royal occasions. Hat-wearing isn’t just tradition; it is also a status symbol to show you are elite.
61. No Women’s Hats In The Evening
Reason: Too informal
Exception: None
Royal women are to wear hats to formal occasions during the day, but those hats are not to be worn during the event, as they are too informal (plus, why should you wear a hat when there is no sun?).
No Women’s Hats In The Evening ©Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
After 6 P.M., the tiaras come out, so long as you are a married woman. Each Royal has tiaras in her personal wardrobe, and these accessories are far better than hats for making a statement at evening dinners, galas, and balls.
62. Baths Cannot Have More Than 7 Inches Of Water
Reason: Queen Elizabeth II preferred it that way
Exception: Other Royals probably have their own preferences
Queen Elizabeth was a big fan of getting ready for the day with a morning bath, but she was a stickler when it came to the water depth of said bath. The bath had to be a perfect temperature, and the water also had to be seven inches deep—no more, no less.
Baths Cannot Have More Than 7 Inches Of Water ©New Africa/Shutterstock
The water was always measured to make sure there were no corners cut. According to Express, Queen Elizabeth loved to drink a cup of Earl Grey tea and listen to Radio BBC 4 while waiting for her bath to be drawn in the adjoining bathroom.
63. “No Comment” Is The Go-To Phrase For Royals
Reason: It gives an image of professionalism and formality
Exception: Some Royals have gone rogue
One thing about the Royals is that they’re not with the drama. Though the tabloids swirl the rumor mill about them constantly, you won’t catch senior Family members commenting and getting messy.
“No Comment” Is The Go-To Phrase For Royals @TheSunOnline/Pinterest
“No comment” is the Royals’ motto, so as to preserve an image of formality, respectfulness, and professionalism. While this can make the Family seem guarded and aloof, that’s likely the whole point. They won’t get down in the mud and embark on smear campaigns.
64. Gloves Have Been A Must-Have Accessory
Reason: To stop the spread of germs
Exception: Princess Diana refused
Up until the nineties, gloves were a very important accessory for Royals. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II once ordered Princess Diana a twelve-set of suede gloves, but Diana refused to wear them.
Gloves Have Been A Must-Have Accessory ©Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Gloves were part of the dress code for practical purposes, as they helped reduce skin-to-skin contact, keeping germs to a minimum. Diana disliked this trend, as she wanted to get up close and personal with her fans, and she felt that the gloves mandate was too informal.
65. Wedding Dresses Are Subject To Approval
Reason: It was a way to honor the Queen
Exception: King Charles III might not weigh in
Queen Elizabeth II had a lot of say in proposals, tiaras, and more. Not only did the late Queen have to approve of the wedding happening in the first place, she also, as the show goes, had to “Say Yes To The Dress.”
Wedding Dresses Are Subject To Approval ©Mike Marsland/Getty Images
Kate Middleton showed the Queen her custom-made Alexander McQueen gown, as did Meghan Markle with her dress. The Queen approved both for their Royal Weddings, though it remains to be seen whether King Charles III will demand the same weigh-in power.
66. Never, Ever Touch The King’s or Queen’s Accessories
Reason: It’s rude and too close for comfort
Exception: None
“Oh, what a cute purse, where did you get it?” is something you might say to a friend while touching their new handbag. That said, under no circumstances would it ever be alright to do that to the Queen or Kate Middleton (or any Royal).
Never, Ever Touch The King’s or Queen’s Accesories ©Tim P. Whitby /Getty Images
Not only are handbags and purses a must-have accessory if you’re a Royal, these accessories are not to be touched. Assumedly, the same rule goes for Royal men, should they be carrying a staff or even a man-purse.
67. You Must Verbally Greet Royals A Certain Way
Reason: It’s the polite way to greet/converse with them
Exception: None
This one is likely a tad confusing to anyone meeting the Royal Family for the first time. There is a proper way to greet Royal Family members. For starters, for the men, you should use “Your Royal Highness” to greet them for the first time.
You Must Verbally Greet Royals A Certain Way ©WPA Pool /Getty Images
The same goes for the women. After this initial “Your Royal Highness,” “Sir” and “Ma’am” will do. It goes without saying that, under no circumstances, should you call King Charles III “Charles” to his face, lest you want to come off as wildly disrespectful.
68. At The Tower of London, There Must Be Six Ravens
Reason: The monarchy/Tower will fall if there are not six ravens
Exception: None
The Kingdom of England came about during the tenth century A.D. when West Saxon Kings extended their reign of power over what would become Southern Britain. Bottom line: England has been around a long time, and so have its superstitions.
At The Tower of London, There Must Be Six Ravens ©Songquan Deng/Shutterstock
King Charles II (1630-1685) instituted a superstition that the Kingdom of England, along with the Tower of London, would fall if there were not at least six ravens living in the Tower. Indeed, to this day, there are seven (one extra, just in case) ravens calling the Tower home to protect the monarchy.
69. Curtsies Are Highly-Encouraged
Reason: It’s a sign of respect
Exception: It’s tradition, but not mandatory
Though the official site for the British Monarchy states that there are no “obligatory” rules to follow when meeting the Royal Family, the site does acknowledge that people will want to adhere to tradition.
Curtsies Are Highly-Encouraged ©Samir Hussein/Getty Images
This means that women are expected to curtsy (nothing dramatic, just a small one with crossed ankles) and men are expected to bow (with their neck, again, nothing fancy) when meeting a member of the Royal Family.