43. Natural-Looking Makeup Is Preferred
Reason: Minimizes press gossip
Exception: It is just a “preference”
While a lot of us love a big, smokey eye or a chance to dye our hair scarlet or another color, such is not the case for the Royal Family. You really don’t see Kate Middleton and other Royal women taking huge risks with their looks.
Natural-Looking Makeup Is Preferred ©Samir Hussein /Getty Images
This is because natural makeup and hair is preferred. The palace prefers that Royal women keep things as plain as possible when making official public appearances, so as not to distract the press or have them gossiping.
44. Women Must Sit A Certain Way
Reason: The press can’t catch a sneaky, embarrassing shot that way
Exception: None
Those who watched The Princess Diaries will already know this rule, as it was featured in one of the scenes from that hit movie, which starred Anne Hathaway as Princess Mia. As it turns out, this rule is more fact than fiction.
Women Must Sit A Certain Way ©Matt Cardy/Getty Images
Royal women are expected to sit a certain way—legs crossed, either at the ankle or the knee. The reason behind this is a simple one—Royal women often wear dresses or skirts, and the palace doesn’t want the press catching an embarrassing shot.
45. Kids Have To Know How To Wave
Reason: They’re born into formality
Exception: Kids will be kids, and they sometimes forget
While most of us wouldn’t trust our toddlers to even behave themselves at a fancy event, the Royal Family’s children are born into a life of formality. As soon as the kids are born to the Royal Family, they are taught to speak gracefully and wave politely.
Kids Have To Know How To Wave ©Samir Hussein/Getty Images
Waving is a way for the Royals to acknowledge, without getting too close, the public and their fans among them. The Royal children will have to learn to wave politely eventually—their parents may as well teach them young.
46. Queen Elizabeth Hated Wedge Heels
Reason: She just seemed to dislike them for some reason
Exception: None
Are you a fan of wedge heels? This polarizing fashion trend is either beloved or opposed, with a few smatterings of neutrality in between. Apparently, the Queen was completely opposed to wedges, with Marie Claire stating she “highly disliked” them.
Queen Elizabeth II Hated Wedge Heels ©Max Mumby/Indigo /Getty Images
Though wedges might seem alright for formal, outdoor engagements, Queen Elizabeth II was not a fan. The women of the Royal Family knew not to wear them around her, keeping these heels only for occasions when the Queen wouldn’t attend.
47. You Cannot Turn Your Back On A Monarch
Reason: It’s disrespectful
Exception: An emergency situation, probably
As mentioned a few times on this list, you cannot turn your back on the Royal Family, as that is viewed as the ultimate sign of disrespect. This goes double for the monarch, as anyone turning their back to King Charles is likely to get reprimanded.
You Cannot Turn Your Back On A Monarch ©WPA Pool /Getty Images
This even applies to conversations. Even after a conversation with King Charles has ended, he has to be the first to leave, as no one can turn on their heel and walk away from him. This rule is centered around respect for the high status of the monarchy.
48. Being Multi-Lingual Is A Must
Reason: Shows diplomacy and is useful
Exception: None
Many of us have taken French, Spanish, or another language at some point in our lives, and some of us may have been raised bilingual. In the Royal Family, it is expected that everyone has a grasp of multiple languages.
Being Multi-Lingual Is A Must ©Max Mumby/Indigo /Getty Images
Even young Prince George is already learning to count in Spanish. Being multi-lingual is a status symbol to the Royal Family, and it also portrays them as diplomatic and diverse. Not to mention, knowing more than one language is just plain useful.
49. Garlic Is Banned From Buckingham Palace
Reason: Queen Elizabeth II hated it
Exception: The rule might be let up, now that she has passed
When Queen Elizabeth II was alive, she reportedly hated garlic. She disliked it so much that it was banned from Buckingham Palace, with Royal chefs required to make dishes without even a whiff of the ingredient.
Garlic Is Banned From Buckingham Palace ©Marian Weyo/Shutterstock
The Queen likely hated the taste and smell, as garlic is notoriously pungent. The bulbs do have their health benefits, including benefits to your immune system and more, but, then again, the Queen made it to ninety-six without eating garlic.
50. Presents Are Not To Be Opened On Christmas Day
Reason: They open them on Christmas Eve
Exception: None
Most of us open presents on Christmas Day (if we follow the holiday’s religion, that is), but the Royal Family does things a bit differently. Rather than open presents then, they open them in the Red Drawing Room on Christmas Eve.
Presents Are Not To Be Opened Christmas Day ©Africa Studio/Shutterstock
Christmas Eve Tea Time is a fun tradition for the Royals, as they love to get each other funny gag gifts. The next day, the Royals attend church at St. Mary Magdalene to celebrate the holiday, following that ceremony with a meal at their Sandringham Estate.
51. Facial Hair Is Not Really Preferred
Reason: The Queen disliked it
Exception: Prince Harry did it anyway
This rule might have gone to the wayside since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, as it was really her preference that kept in place. Reportedly, the late Queen was not a fan of facial hair. Though she didn’t mind it when the Royal men were away in the wilds or Armed Forces, she disliked it at home.
Facial Hair Is Not Really Preferred ©WPA Pool/Getty Images
Royal staff weren’t permitted to grow mustaches or beards. Though Prince Harry often rebelled against this rule, The Telegraph reports the Queen let that go because she figured he’d get rid of it eventually.
52. Words Are Changed To Seem More Formal
Reason: Gives a more upper-class air to common words
Exception: Kids, probably
The way the Royal Family speaks is incredibly formal, and you may have noticed that they try to use the most appropriate, highbrow words when speaking. There are some words that have been changed around Royal households.
Words Are Changed To Seem More Formal ©Karen Ballard/Getty Images
Couches are called “sofas,” and “living rooms” are called “drawing rooms.” Even the word “perfume” has been changed to make it sound more natural. All of these edits make for a far more upper-class air when speaking.
53. Royal Babies Usually Do Not Meet World Leaders
Reason: Kids have to have bedtimes
Exception: Sometimes, kids get permission to stay up late
Everyone has a bedtime, even Royal children. As it turns out, Royals raise their kids the way most of the rest of us do—with a bedtime. You can’t have kids running about at all hours of the night, after all.
Royal Babies Usually Do Not Meet World Leaders ©The White House/Getty Images
Royal babies aren’t usually permitted to meet world leaders, as those State Dinners are held too late for them. That said, sometimes exceptions are made, such as when William and Kate gave Prince George permission to stay up past his bedtime to meet the former U.S. president.
54. It’s “Sorry,” Not “Pardon”
Reason: Pardon is interjectory, sorry is apologetic
Exception: None
We’ve all had to interrupt an important conversation at one time or another, and the Royal Family has requirements for how you go about doing so. Interrupting a conversation requires a “Sorry.”
It’s “Sorry,” Not “Pardon’ ©Chris Jackson/Getty Images
You cannot say “Pardon,” as that is too interjectory and rather abrupt. “Sorry,” on the other hand, is apologetic, showing that you really do feel badly about having to interrupt the discussion.
55. Young Boys Shouldn’t Wear Trousers
Reason: It’s a “silent class marker” among the English
Exception: Formal occasions, when it is too cold out
When Prince Louis goes out, you might have noticed that, for the vast majority of time, he is wearing shorts, not trousers. This is because, as Harper’s Bazaar put it, it is a “very English thing” to dress young boys in shorts.
Young Boys Shouldn’t Wear Trousers ©Pool/Getty Images
It is a “silent class marker,” held for the upper class only (of which the Royals are certainly a member). Since Louis is just a child, he is kept in shorts as a symbol of his high status—plus, they’re probably easier to run around in than long trousers.
56. Hands Must Be At Your Sides When Walking Down Stairs
Reason: It’s considered polite
Exception: When you have to hold the railing for safety’s sake
As mentioned on this list, Royal women are instructed to walk down stairs and stand with their chins parallel to the floor. Not only that, but walking down the stairs has another rule to it, having to do with your arms.
Hands Must Be At Your Sides When Walking Down Stairs ©Serge Lemoine/Getty Images
When walking down the stairs, it is considered polite to keep your hands at your sides. That said, we’re sure they make exceptions for dangerous staircases or elderly family members—after all, why risk a fall?