86. “Fleeing” Isn’t In The Royal Vocabulary
Reason: They stand with their country
Exception: None
Though the Royal Family takes its security seriously, they do not run in the face of conflict. For example, during World War II, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited bombed areas to make sure people who lost their homes were being helped.
“Fleeing” Isn’t In The Royal Vocabulary ©Fox Photos/Getty Images
Even when Buckingham was bombed in 1940, the Royals didn’t flee. Both Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth II joined the war effort, with the latter training as a mechanic and driver for the ATS.
87. Royal Wedding Guests Are Strictly Vetted
Reason: Have to make sure no troublemakers get in
Exception: None
Royal wedding guests are strictly vetted, according to Meghan Markle, who says she was advised against bringing one of her best friends, Ashleigh Hale, to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. The reason was a mix of optics and a concern about public opinion.
Royal Wedding Guests Are Stricted Vetted © Netflix
Hale wasn’t invited because Meghan’s half-sister wasn’t, and the Palace felt as though the optics of the situation would be too complicated. Who knew that Royal Wedding guests were so thoroughly scrutinized? Not one slips in among the group without the Royals thinking of how it looks.
88. No One Wore The Same Color As The Queen During Appearances
Reason: The Queen should stand out
Exception: Non-group events
Even outfit colors are guarded by Royal protocol, especially when you are at a group event. When Queen Elizabeth II was alive, for example, other Royal Family members were discouraged from wearing the same color as her to events.
No One Wore The Same Color As The Queen During Appearances © Lorna Roberts/Shutterstock
Considering the Queen often wore neon and other bright shades, that wasn’t too difficult. According to Anita McBride, a former staffer for First Lady Laura Bush, the Queen would also confer with U.S. First Ladies’ staff to ensure her outfits and theirs wouldn’t clash when she came to visit.
89. Royal Children Must Curtsy/Bow To The Monarch, Too
Reason: They have to show respect to their elder
Exception: None (though kids probably forget sometimes)
Upon the first time they see the King on any given day, Royal women must curtsy. The curtsy doesn’t have to be elaborate—just a simple dip will do. Not only do Royal women have to follow this rule, Royal girls do, too.
Royal Children Must Curtsy/Bow To The Monarch, Too © Samir Hussein / Getty Images
We saw that a few years ago when Princess Charlotte gave the late Queen an adorable curtsy. Though, surely, kids forget sometimes, Royal children are able to pick up the rules of etiquette rather quickly, thanks to classes and training.
90. Full-Time Crown-Employed Royals Cannot Have Side Hustles
Reason: Conflict of interest
Exception: None
The British Monarchy has strict rules surrounding their finances, and you really don’t hear of any scandals surrounding their money. If you are a Royal who works full-time for the Crown, you cannot earn any other source of income.
That’s right—no side hustles, gigs, or moonlighting. This rule was put in place to avoid conflicts of interest. For example, a Royal who works full-time for the Crown and full-time for a British company could find his or her loyalty divided.
91. The Royals Love IKEA For Kids’ Furniture
Reason: It’s affordable and customizable
Exception: It’s not mandated to shop there
Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton are worth millions, so it wouldn’t be hard for them to have custom furniture for their kids’ rooms. However, the Royals are more like us than they seem, as, just like everyone else, William and Kate like IKEA.
In 2018, the couple visited Sweden, and, during their visit, they revealed that they had bought furniture from IKEA for two of their children’s rooms. IKEA is famously affordable, and people love their pieces because they are quite customizable, too.
92. Save Your Leftovers After Meals
Reason: No wasting food
Exception: None, if King Charles is around
Carolyn Robb, a chef and author who cooked for the Royals for over a decade, has revealed that King Charles is a big fan of the “Waste not, want not” mentality. He has always been adamant about reducing food waste.
Save Your Leftovers After Meals © Joe Belanger/Shutterstock
He insists that leftovers are saved for additional meals, whether they be “rehashed” or used a different way. According to Robb, King Charles is “very economical,” believing that “nothing should go to waste,” even in a palace.
93. Every Member of the Royal Family Has Worn The Honiton Christening Gown
Reason: It’s tradition
Exception: A replica was made recently because the original is so fragile
Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 until 1901, commissioned the famed Honiton Christening Gown, to be worn by Royal babies when they are christened into the Church of England.
Every Member of the Royal Family Has Worn The Honiton Christening Gown ©George Rinhart/Getty Image
Queen Victoria commissioned the gown for her first child’s christening. Since then, it has been worn by every Royal Family member up until Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Archie had to wear a replica, as the original was too fragile for continued use.
94. Dressing Up For Dinner Is A Must
Reason: Balmoral requires formal dinners
Exception: Prince Philip refused to dress up
Balmoral is the Royal Family’s famous Scottish holiday home. Though Balmoral is where the Royals go for vacations, dinner has remained a formal affair, nonetheless. The typical dinner requires dressy ball gowns and fine China when the Royals dine at Balmoral.
Dressing Up For Dinner Is A Must © Hulton Archive /Getty Images
Additionally, at Balmoral, music goes along with dinner. At the end of each dinnertime meal, a bagpipe player walks around the table, playing a tune to wave everyone off to bed. That said, Prince Philip didn’t care for the dress code at Balmoral—reportedly, he was once mistaken for a gardener because he dressed so tattily.
95. Organic Food Is A Must
Reason: King Charles prefers it
Exception: Prince Philip hated it
King Charles loves his organic food and prefers it at the Palace. That said, green eating hasn’t always gone over smoothly with the Royals. Prince Philip was not as big a fan of organic food as King Charles.
Organic Food Is A Must © Carl Court/Getty images
According to the Royal Family’s former personal chef, Prince Philip would shake his head and say, “Oh, bloody organic!” when he discovered organic food at the palace. Though organic food has its merits, Prince Philip didn’t buy the hype, it seems.
96. McDonald’s Has A Unique History With The Royal Family
Reason: Princess Diana took Harry and William there as kids
Exception: Some Royals might not like fast food as much
Famously, Princes Harry and William were taken to McDonald’s by their mother, Princess Diana. The two have loved McDonald’s ever since, as it no doubt reminds them of fun trips with their mom.
McDonald’s Has A Unique History With The Royal Family @dailymirror/Pinterest
According to Darren McGrade, the former personal chef to the Royal Family, he told Princess Diana he could make her burgers at home, but Di refused, saying that her sons wanted the toys in the Happy Meals, and that was just what they were going to get.
97. Chewbacca Is Exempt From Royal Protocol
Reason: It’s Chewbacca
Exception: No one else can hug Royals
Like most of us, it turns out that the Princes are huge fans of the Star Wars saga. Princes Harry and William took a tour of Pinewood Studios’ Star Wars set in 2016, and it was there that they met a very special character.
Chewbacca Is Exempt From Royal Protocol @readersdigest/Pinterest
Prince William met and hugged Chewbacca in a heartwarming, understandable breach of Royal protocol. Though Royals are expected to shake hands and minimize personal touching when out in public, it appears the Prince just couldn’t help himself when he got to meet his childhood hero.
98. Knife In Your Right Hand, Fork In Your Left
Reason: It’s proper dining etiquette
Exception: Possibly an exception if you are left-handed
If you’ve learned anything from this extensive list, it is that dining etiquette (and all etiquette, really) is taken quite seriously by the Royal Family. For example, one minute rule pertains to how you hold your silverware.
Knife In Your Right Hand, Fork In Your Left © Alexey Khakimov/Shutterstock
The fork is held in the Royal’s left hand, tines facing down, while the knife is held in the right. Rather than stab at their food, the Royals’ food is balanced on the back of the forks and then brought to their mouth.
99. Royal Baptisms Must Use Holy Water From The Jordan River
Reason: The Jordan River is the site of all of Christianity’s Holy Water
Exception: None
The Archbishop of Canterbury is a position that has been around for roughly 1,500 years. This vaunted Church of England official oversees the Royal Family’s baptisms, and the baptisms must use Holy Water from the Jordan River.
Royal Baptisms Must Use Holy Water From The Jordan River © Evanessa/Shutterstock
The Jordan River has long been important to those of the Christian faith, as it is the source of all of Christianity’s Holy Water. In 2021, Prince Charles traveled to the Jordan River, the site of Jesus Christ’s baptism, to collect more Holy Water for future Royal baptisms.
100. No Royal Family Member Can Play a Character on Stage or Film
Reason: To maintain the dignity and respect of the royal status
Exception: Private family gatherings, charitable events
In the world of the British monarchy, maintaining a royal’s dignity, respect, and image are of utmost importance. This rule exists to safeguard the sanctity and seriousness of their roles and responsibilities. If royals were allowed to play fictional characters on stage or film, it could potentially trivialize their statuses, and blur the line between reality and make-believe.
No Royal Family Member Can Play a Character on Stage or Film @reellibrarians/Pinterest
The members of the royal family are seen as embodiments of the nation’s history, values, and identity, and their portrayal in fictional narratives might distort this image. Nevertheless, there are certain exceptions to this rule. For instance, during private family gatherings or charitable events, royals can participate in informal skits or plays that are intended for amusement and do not carry the weight of a professional acting role.