While they may be one of the most intriguing families in the world, it sometimes feels like we know little about the royal family. We may see them on the TV and on the internet, but we don't know much about them as people - apart from Meghan and Harry, of course.
So, in light of this secrecy, here are 12 facts about the Royals for you to enjoy
1. They have to learn multiple languages
As they spend their time flying around the world and acting as representatives of the United Kingdom, members of the royal family are expected to learn the basic greeting in each country that they visit. "The internal palace aids will always be on hand to prepare each royal before an important visit," says Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette. "It is the correct protocol to practice the etiquette of the country or culture you are visiting, in order to show respect, so each royal knows how to make the best first impression."
2. The carry bags of their own blood
According to the Telegraph, the Queen and Prince Charles carry their own personal bags of blood to countries where blood supply is questionable. Of course, in order to do a blood transfusion, you need a doctor at hand - which is why a Royal Navy doctor goes wherever they do.
3. They bring their own booze
While you may think that they stay in luxurious hotels and spend their infinite amount of money on the finest liquours, the Royal's actually bring their own booze with them. "They sometimes take their own alcohol so there's no danger of their drinks being spiked," Gordon Rayner, a royal tour veteran reporter, told the Express. "Their police bodyguard will discreetly carry a bag of their drinks."
4. They always have a black outfit
While the Queen may be known for her colourful ensembles, the Royal's always make sure that they have a black outfit in case a loved one dies while they're abroad. This comes after the Queen made a mistake in 1952 when her father died and she was in Kenya. Elizabeth had to wait until a member of her staff delivered the black dress before she could step off the plane when back in the motherland.
5. Royal heirs must not travel together
While it's not protocol, it's royal practice for the heirs to the throne to travel separately just in case of a fatal accident. Of course, Prince William and Kate Middleton have broken the rule on numerous occasions as they disembark the same plane with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte in hand. "While there is no official rule on this, it is something that the Queen has the final say on," a royal spokesman once told the Sun.
6. They go through immigration
Despite the fact that everyone knows who they are - the Royals have to go through standard customs procedures like the rest of us. All of the family - apart from the Queen - are required to have a passport. Despite this, she still needs to go through an identity check when she is flying.
7. They have colour -oded luggage
The Royals make sure that they are organised while on their travels, with them having colour-coded luggage for when they are away. The Queen and Kate Middleton use yellow luggage labels. William and Charles, for their part, prefer a nice royal red on their bags.
8. Their travel budget is massive
Last year, the royal family spent $5.8 million on travelling around the world. In fact, one single trip for a member of the royal family can cost up to six figures. The most expensive on record was Charles' visit to Italy, Romania and Austria back in 2016 - which totalled just under $200,000.
9. They travel in numbers
According to the Telegraph, the Royals like to bring a big entourage with them when on their travels. The Queen is known to be around 34 people, which includes press officers, secretaries, hairdressers, bodyguards, valets, professional stylists, and royal nannies. Will and Kate, however, keep it a bit more modest - with them having a team of around 12 people with them.
10. Duplicate outfits are a must
While most of us try and take as little clothing as possible when flying, the Royals need to make sure they have a duplicate of each outfit they take with them. Why? Well, no one wants to head to a royal engagement while covered in food stains.
11. They sometimes fly commercial
While the Queen and Prince Philip don't like to take scheduled flights, Prince William and Kate Middleton have been known to fly on Ryan Air, British Airways and American Airlines.
12. Meghan Markle has one travel essential
During an interview with Allure magazine, the newest member of the royal family revealed the one thing she cannot travel without. "The one thing that I cannot live without when I'm traveling is a small container of tea tree oil," Meghan Markle said. "It's not the most glamorous thing, but if you get a cut, a mosquito bite, a small breakout, no matter what it is, it's my little cure-all."
While we may feel close to our royals, it turns out that we don't actually know all that much about them. Still, we love them all the same, right?
I know you'd all be really excited to have dinner with the Royal Family, and in theory it sounds like a great time. But for me, I don't know if I could handle the pressure of sitting down to have a meal with literal queens, princes and princesses. You'd have to obey every single law in the etiquette book, watch your words, and even then there's certain foods you're straight up not allowed to eat.
But what would be on the menu at a Royal Family dinner? While only a select few will get to enjoy a meal with the Queen, Meghan Markle and the rest of the gang, the vast majority of us are going to have to make do with this list, where we'll go through the eating habits of all your favourite royals. Tally ho!
Let's start with the newest member of the Royal Family, Meghan Markle, who you may recognise from the law drama Suits. The first thing you should know is that Meghan loves a nice glass of wine. Don't we all? Before Prince Harry came along and swept her off her feet, Meghan revealed that wine was the biggest love in her life. "French fries and vino are my vices," she revealed, so you get the feeling she'd be the most fun to have food with in the Royal Family. "In the summer, though, when I'm out with my friends, it's rosé all day."
2. Meghan's also big on healthy eating
French fries aren't exactly health food I know, but when Meghan wants to stay on top of things, she stays on top of things. First thing in the morning, Meghan Markle has herself some lemon water, but it's only the start of her healthy day. As you might know, Meghan is an advocate of the vegan diet, and in her Suits days she was partial to a salad with some protein, plus a snack of apples and almond butter. Maybe a green juice if she's feeling it.
3. Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall
According to her son Tom Parker Bowles, if you happened to have a curry with the Royal Family, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are unlikely to be in attendance. You might have heard that Meghan Markle isn't allowed to eat garlic much any more, but Camila definitely didn't get the memo; "I like chili and spice and garlic and [Charles and Camilla] come from a generation where they don't really like chili." Bowles recently revealed at the US launch of Fortnum & Mason: The Cook Book in New York. Tom also says that Camila loves her scrambled eggs. "My mum is a very good cook, but my stepdad and my mum have a lot of very good chefs."
4. Kate Middleton is definitely more of a dinner kind of girl
Ah, Kate Middleton. We remember the days when you were the belle of this particular Royal Ball, back in 2011 when you married Prince William. Now, three children later (but you wouldn't know it by looking at her), if you were to sit down with Kate, the way you'd probably go about it by agreeing to have dinner. Kate loves her a good curry just as much as she loves cooking for other people, but if you showed up around the holidays, she may plump instead for one of those traditional family recipes.
5. Kate Middleton changed tack to shed her pregnancy weight
Shortly after giving birth to Princess Charlotte, Kate Middleton switched things up. Although she did love her home cooking, she needed to lose weight effectively, so she switched to a fruit and vegetable-based routine. This often meant ceviche, goji berries, gazpacho, watermelon salad, almond milk and tabbouleh. She also adopted a strict diet before her wedding to Prince William, however, which was more of a high-protein, low carb affair.
6. The Queen has a regular eating schedule
If you were to have breakfast with the Queen, it's going to be a pretty regimented affair: Her Majesty only likes a select few things, but when she likes something, she likes something. Let's start with breakfast, where the Queen will always start her day (always!) with a cup of tea and some biscuits. If she's looking for a big breakfast, then toast and marmalade's on the menu, along with scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, and just a little bit of grated truffle. Brown eggs only - the Queen believes they taste better, and who are we to disagree?
7. Her Majesty also has a few drinks to get her through the day
I don't know about you, but I'd imagine that all that Queenin' must be really stressful, and the Queen and I like to alleviate stress in a very similar fashion: with a couple of alcoholic beverages. She likes to have her first of the day just before lunch (while I usually wait until after work and pound as many as possible). Then, she'll have some veggies and fish for lunch. She'll have the same thing for dinner, usually with a martini to send her to bed. No carbs, though. She's got greater willpower than me, that's for sure.
8. Prince Philip is the most adventurous eater in the family
By far and away the most eccentric of the Royal Family (and therefore my favourite), you can imagine Prince Philip to have quite a few don'ts when it comes to what you can put on his plate. But in fact, in reality, he's actually very willing to try new things. But former royal chef Darren McGrady reveals that this doesn't apply when everything's organic:
"We always used to get a hamper [full of food and treats] from Harrods — a thank you gift for shopping with them. Prince Philip came into the kitchen and there were two hampers. He said, 'Oh, is this a Harrods hamper?' I said, 'No, your highness, this is a hamper the Prince of Wales brought with him.' He looked puzzled so I opened it up and I said, 'It's all organic.' And he said, 'Oh, bloody organic!' And just shook his head and walked out."
Well, then.
Well, while you may never get to have dinner with the Royal Family, with this definitive list, you'll hopefully be able to put the pieces together in your mind. That way, the dinner can be as good as your imagination allows it, free from the burdens of reality.
The British royal family is probably the most recognisable clan on the planet, and as a result, they are more closely-observed than anyone. Just think about Harry and William: from the moment the two princes were born, the cameras have been aimed at them, and people have followed them through childhood, school, university, and now adulthood. Now William's own children are getting the same treatment from the media. It makes you wonder how they ever manage to get a moment's peace.
Well, according to Hello! magazine, the royals manage to sneak around their castles and palaces by employing a variety of stealthy methods of entering to avoid the unwanted intrusion of camera-flashing paparazzi and tourists. Apparently, when members of the royal family arrive at Kensington Palace, they very rarely use the front door. After all, what would be more obvious than sauntering up to the gilded gates in a chauffeured limousine? Instead, a helicopter will typically land in the grounds of Hyde Park in London. After that, the royals are taken to a waiting car, which takes them home while armed police officers keep them safe on the way.
If you are especially lucky, then you might get to catch a glimpse of the royals arriving, if you happen to be in and around Hyde Park at the same time as them. Although the lawn is cordoned off by a low fence, to deter bystanders from walking too close, the chopper's landing space is open for all to see. For instance, the Queen was most recently spotted flying into Kensington Palaat in the beginning of May to meet her great-grandson Prince Louis; she was pictured emerging from her personal helicopter, carrying flowers as a gift along with her.
A lot of people have been keeping an eye on Kensington Palace in the wake of the recent royal wedding. Prince William and Kate Middleton live there in an expansive 20-bedroom house known as Apartment 1A. This house is split into four storeys, complete with a sitting room, large kitchen, three bedrooms with dressing rooms, three bathrooms and a nursery. This is alongside staff quarters, which come with nine bedrooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens and two sitting rooms. There is also an expansive walled garden there, where Prince George and Princess Charlotte play outdoors.
Kensington Palace was originally a two-storey mansion built by Sir George Coppin in the year 1605, but it was bought by William III in 1689. Since then, it has been extended and repurposed numerous times and has served as a residence for the royal family ever since. Newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lived in the residence for a time before their marriage, but the couple have since moved into Nottingham Cottage.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are engaged, and almost everybody is really happy about it. The new royal couple has broken quite a few traditions: They discuss their private relationship in interviews, Meghan's already been married before, and, most scandalous of all, they hold hands in public. (The horror, the horror).
However, when these rebels get married in the spring, there are twenty strict traditions they'll have to follow. Some are normal, and some are pretty weird:
For Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, she sent out 1,900 invitations. Fun fact: she signs them, "Sincerely, The Quizzle."
4. The bride must carry a sprig of myrtle.
It's a flower known as the "herb of love." Also, "sprig of myrtle" is the most British phrase ever.
5. The reception must have two cakes, and the traditional flavor is fruitcake.
Fruitcake?! I guess it's better than stargazey pie. That's a pastry pie topped with fish heads. British people suck at food.
6. The bride must leave her bouquet at the grave of the "unknown warrior."
Do not try to "catch" it, single bridesmaids!
7. The bride must wear a tiara.
But - this important - she cannot be a toddler.
8. The royal family must pay for the wedding.
"Ha ha, suckers!" said Meghan Markle's family.
9. They must have "page boys" and little girl "bridesmaids."
Instead just having a flower girl and a ring bearer, they have a bunch boys and girls in formal attire, to ensure maximum cuteness.
10. Woman who marry royal successors must take their husband's title.
That means instead of being called "Prince Meghan," she'll be called "Princess Harry." Ha ha! Take that, feminists! Shots fired!
11. The royal family must sit on the right side of the church.
And no one can fart. The left side is "the farting zone."
12. You must not marry a Catholic.
The royals are the heads of the Church of Scientology - whoops, I mean the Church of England. That's Protestant, and the 1701 Act of Settlements prohibits them from marrying Catholics. Meghan's not Catholic, but she did go to Catholic school, so she agreed to be baptized into the Church of England before the ceremony. Man, who knew people took religion so seriously?
And Piers Morgan is not allowed at either one. That dude gets puke-drunk every single time.
15. The Royals must get the Queen's permission to marry.
They key to winning her affection is to buy her a case of Bud Light. Queen Elizabeth II loves Bud Light.
16. The newlyweds must make an appearance at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
And don't "mess with" the stoic guards. They hate it.
17. The groom must wear military regata.
So much cooler than a tuxedo.
18. The royal wedding bands must contain Welsh gold.
Get that Ukrainian gold out of here!
19. The male must have a "stag party" (not a bachelor party) and the female must have a "hen party" (not a bachelorette party).
And the Queen must have a "lemon party." Sorry. I'm not invited to the wedding, am I?
20. A piece of the wedding cake must be mailed out to guests as a "thank you."
Man, I check my mail every, and hope there's cake inside. Every day!
If you're planning your wedding, and want to give it a royal feel, make sure you follow as many of these traditions as you can. Especially the cake-mailing. That needs to become a regular thing.
It must be tough for Meghan Markle. Imagine being a relatively normal person like her, who ends up a member of the royal family through marriage. It's scary enough moving to a different country and culture with your new spouse, let alone becoming a part of the monarchy. Okay, so you could argue that she was already a celebrity in her own right before marrying Harry, and thus knew about some of the pitfalls that come part and parcel with being famous. But seriously: being a duchess is on a whole other level, and there's a lot of responsibility resting on her shoulders.
Not only that, but she has to actually ingratiate herself with the rest of the royals. That must surely be intimidating, but until now we've all assumed that she's got on well with everybody. However, that hasn't stopped gossipmongers from spreading rumours that her and Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton, have had a falling-out. Is there any truth to this rumour? We don't know for sure, but nevertheless, recently Meghan had some good advice about how to cope with her new role courtesy of former first lady Michelle Obama.
In an interview with British newspaper The Sunday Mirror, Michelle stated: "Like me, Meghan probably never dreamt that she'd have a life like this, and the pressure you feel -- from yourself and from others -- can sometimes feel like a lot. So my biggest piece of advice would be to take some time and don't be in a hurry to do anything. I spent the first few months in the White House mainly worrying about my daughters, making sure they were off to a good start at school and making new friends before I launched into any more ambitious work. I think it's okay -- it's good, even -- to do that."
She added: "What I'd say is that there's so much opportunity to do good with a platform like that -- and I think Meghan can maximize her impact for others, as well her own happiness, if she's doing something that resonates with her personally. In many ways, things are harder for young women today. But what's inspiring to me is that so many of the young women I've met are triumphing in incredible ways."
"Unlike my generation, they're not as held back by the societal belief that girls and boys can't do the same thing They're charging forwards in sports and maths and science and technology. They're speaking up and speaking out, not just in classrooms but in the public arena at a young age. I find great hope in this generation of young women."
It's good to know that Michelle Obama is looking out for Meghan and wants her to do well. From one American to another, it's a real show of confidence. If I were Meghan then I'd definitely listen to her right now.
I've accepted that the world will never officially recognize me as the princess that I know I am. Took me a while to get there, but I managed in the end. But to be honest, I don't think I'd want to be an official princess after reading this list of dos and don'ts. They're mostly don'ts and they suck. It's one thing if you're brought up in that world, but marrying into it has got to be quite the culture shock, especially if you're used to having all of your personal freedoms. Here's a list of all the most shocking expectations, traditions, and customs that are enforced and expected of the members of the royal family...
[post_page_title]#1 When the Queen Stands[/post_page_title]
Ok, this one isn't that shocking, it's a bit expected. We've seen loads of films - historical and not-so-historical - that feature the monarchy, and everyone stands when the king or queen stands or enters the room. That isn't that bad. However, could you imagine if a monarch is constantly coming and going from the same room? How annoying would that be?!
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[post_page_title]#2 Curtsies and Bows[/post_page_title]
Again, Catholics would probably be the only people that could keep up with the repeated up and down motions that come with greeting the Queen. Both men and women are expected to curtsey and bow accordingly to her. This tradition is obviously for all members of the Royal Family. Can I just ask, given that the Queen is also your relative, is it awkward bowing or curtseying to your grandma? Or even worse, your mom?
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[post_page_title]#3 Separate Travel for Heirs[/post_page_title]
For security reasons, particularly the security of preserving the line to the throne, two heirs can't travel together. Not only is this really macabre to think about, but it's also got to put quite the damper on family vacations. As of right now, Kate and William have broken said tradition by traveling with their son George, but come his 12th birthday, father and son will probably be required to fly separately... how sad.
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[post_page_title]#4 There is a Secret Code to the Purse[/post_page_title]
The Queen uses her purse as more than just an accessory. There are actually little codes tied to the famous handbag so she can send subtle hints to others, without coming across as rude. When she places her clutch on the tabletop at dinner time, it means that dinner is wrapping up - so eat fast! And if she swaps her bag from her left hand to her right, the conversation you're having is coming to an end - try to be less boring next time.
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[post_page_title]#6 PDA[/post_page_title]
This one seems like a no-brainer. I mean, have you ever seen a member of the Royal Family get all cuddly and gross with one another? No. I mean, I'm sure in person behind closed doors it's a different story, but in public they are very stoic. The no-PDA rule really applies most when members of the Royal Family are traveling abroad. This is because they're expected to never make others form more conservative cultures feel uncomfortable by publicly showing signs of affection.
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[post_page_title]#7 Marriage Proposals Require Permission[/post_page_title]
When I got engaged, my wife asked my dad for his blessing. More than anything, that was more of a gesture of respect towards traditional Mexican dad, it wasn't law. However, there is an actual rule that applies to members of the Royal Family, and it dates back to the Royal Marriages Act of 1772. According to this marriage act, all unions of the royal descendants must have their monarch's approval. The Queen has approved of all marriages of her children, plus all her grandchildren.
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[post_page_title]#8 Bridal Parties Always are Made of Kids[/post_page_title]
We've all seen royal weddings televised on TV. Have you ever wondered why there is not a whole lot of adults there? That is because royal weddings require bridesmaids and pageboys - i.e. kids. They are responsible for pretty much everything, from scattering flower petals to carrying the bride's train. As far as adults having a role in the royal wedding, the most they can hope for is the role of matron of honor and a best man.
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[post_page_title]#9 Bridal Bouquets Have to Include Myrtle[/post_page_title]
This traditional wedding custom dates back to Princess Victoria. Since then, royal brides carry a sprig of myrtle in their bouquet. Myrtle is a symbol of hope and love. Isn't that cute? Any brides-to-be can take a cue from the traditions of the royals. Recently, the latest members to join the Royal Family, like the Duchess of Cambridge, have upheld the tradition by including a sprig or two of myrtle in their bouquets. Meghan Markle also did, but hers also included flowers handpicked from Kensington Garden by Prince Harry.
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[post_page_title]#10 Royals Couldn't Marry a Catholic until 2011[/post_page_title]
Anyone who knows the complicated history of English Monarchy knows that in the 1500s there was a little hiccup between the Catholic Church and Henry VIII. Since then, England went protestant and never looked back. Then in 1701, there was the 1701 Act of Settlement, which explicitly forbad members of the Royal Family from marrying a Catholic. That was all was overturned in 2011 - finally! Now, Royal Family members can marry a person of any faith system, so long as the Queen approves of course.
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[post_page_title]#11 No Nicknames[/post_page_title]
You'll never hear any married royal couple call each other "pookybear" or "snugglebums" in public. That's not because they're uptight or unromantic, it's because they're not allowed. Furthermore, you'll never read a news article where they're mentioned by a shortened version of their name. That's because royals are expected to be referred to or addressed by their full, given names. Remember when Kate Middleton was Kate Middleton? Then, after she was married, she began being referred to as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
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[post_page_title]#12 Hats[/post_page_title]
Hats are an expectation of female Royal Family members to wear at all formal appearances during the day. Most socialites and members of the aristocracy do this. However, after 6 pm it becomes a completely different story. For formal events and appearances after 6 pm, the hats get ditched, and instead, the tiara gets emphasized. Every female royal has a tiara or two in her own personal wardrobe. Sometimes, she can get one on loan from the crown jewels.
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[post_page_title]#13 Bright Hats for the Queen[/post_page_title]
You won't catch the Queen wearing drab dark-colored or neutral-toned hats - unless she's in mourning. But other than that, it's always bright colors. That's because she likes them. And her love of bright-colored hats and attire has actually been worked into the royal protocol. That is because bright hues make her easier to spot in a crowd. Talk about getting your passions to work in your favor.
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[post_page_title]#14 Members Travel with an All-Black Outfit[/post_page_title]
All-black is reserved for funerals or evening gowns. The Queen herself has instituted a decree that all members of the Royal Family have to pack at least one all-black outfit when traveling. This is in case there is a sudden death in the family and some family members are abroad. They can then mourn while abroad.
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[post_page_title]#15 All Wedding Dresses Need the Queen's Approval[/post_page_title]
A bride-to-be's most favorite part of the wedding planning is picking out her dress. Can you imagine finding the right dress that you feel so great in, and then you get told no? Well, there is a rule that requires the Queen to give her approval on all royal wedding dresses. Yes, the royal getting married does get some flexibility in terms of choosing the style and silhouette, but ultimately, the Queen gets the final say in terms of the gown's design and aesthetic. So if she doesn't like it, you're not wearing it.
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[post_page_title]#16 Modesty[/post_page_title]
There are rules when it comes to royal fashion - the biggest rule being modesty is key. If you've noticed, all royal women, while being fashion icons, are always dressed very modestly. That is because they are required to, and can't go for outfits that are deemed too racy or provocative. For example, cleavage is a big no-no - just think back to the time that Princess Diana famously covered her chest with her evening bag!
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[post_page_title]#17 Clutches have a Double Function[/post_page_title]
Ever noticed that the royal women always carry a clutch or some kind of similar bag when attending events? And they're not just evening events either, this applies to all royal appearances. That is because there is a deeper reason than just covering up or carrying their lipstick with them. Holding their clutch or bag with both hands allows them a polite excuse to avoid shaking hands with commoners... that one hurts.
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[post_page_title]#18 Young Princes Wear Shorts[/post_page_title]
Ever noticed that Prince George always seems to be caught wearing shorts in pictures? There is no coincidence that this happens. It's a royal tradition. Here's his dad doing the same thing. Traditionally, trousers are reserved for young adult males and grown men. Boys in the Royal Family typically wear exclusively shorts until they are eight years old. Prince George will get his pants when he's older. And his little brother Prince Louis will be wearing shorts once he transitions into a young toddler.
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[post_page_title]#19 Royals Have Tricks to Avoid Wardrobe Malfunctions[/post_page_title]
We all remember 2011 and the Duchess of Cambridge's Marilyn Monroe moment while on a visit to one of the bases of the Royal Airforce. It was a little wardrobe malfunction seen around the world. However, the Queen has a personal hack to avoid such embarrassing moments. According to designer Stewart Parvin, who designs outfits for the Queen, her secret to combat sneaky breezes is to sew pennyweights into the hemline of all skirts and dresses. And that's expected of the Queen's wardrobe.
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[post_page_title]#20 Duty to Serve[/post_page_title]
Those in the Royal Family are expected to set the ultimate example of service to their country by serving in the military. While it isn't a requirement that royals enlist in the military, it most certainly is an expectation. That expectation is also extended to the wedding day. The royals are expected to wear their military uniforms on their wedding day. That is why we've seen both Prince William and Prince Harry look dapper in their military uniforms on their wedding days.
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[post_page_title]#21 No Shellfish[/post_page_title]
Since the royals are certainly well-off, one would expect them to be feasting on lobster all day, every day. That is actually not the case at all. In fact, if you are in any way an enthusiastic fan of shellfish, you'd be out of luck joining the Royal Family. Shellfish of any kind is not allowed to be served at royal meals since its seen as the food that is most likely to cause food poisoning or allergic reactions.
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[post_page_title]#22 No Garlic[/post_page_title]
Continuing with the rules for the royal diet, there is no garlic allowed. However, the reason isn't the same as shellfish. It's because the Queen isn't a fan of garlic. Dinner must be pretty boring tasting at the royal house since garlic is left out of all food preparations for dinners that she both hosts and attends.
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[post_page_title]#23 Always Two Steps Ahead[/post_page_title]
Ever notice how Prince Phillip always walks behind the Queen? That is because there's a rule for that. In order to show that he respects her title and role as Queen, he is required to always walk two steps behind his wife. Not going to lie, that must be such a drag in public always having to be behind your spouse rather than beside her, holding her hand.
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[post_page_title]#24 Proper Way to Drink Tea[/post_page_title]
Members of the Royal Family are expected to partake in afternoon tea, also known as high tea. The rules for the royals are quite specific. There is a specific way of holding the teacups which is to pinch the top of the handle between your thumb and index finger while supporting the bottom of the handle with your middle finger. The handle of the cup should be kept at three o'clock. There is a further rule for royal women, which is they should always sip from the same place in order to avoid getting lipstick all around the rim.
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[post_page_title]#25 Don't Touch the Dogs[/post_page_title]
We all know the Queen loves her corgis, and boy, do they lead the life of Riley. I think in my next life I'm coming back as one of the Queen's corgis. They are allowed to roam freely throughout the palace, they get daily walks by the Queen herself, plus the best part - they are served daily gourmet meals prepared by one of the palace chefs and personally delivered by a footman.
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[post_page_title]#26 Dinner Parties are Full of Protocol[/post_page_title]
The Queen actually subtly plans her dinner conversations with the guests who sit beside her. They're on a timer: she speaks to the person on her right through the first course, then switches to the person on her left during the second course. Also, if a member of the Royal Family needs to excuse themselves from the table before they've finished their meal, they must cross their utensils so the staff doesn't remove their plate before they've finished.
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[post_page_title]#27 Royal Kids Didn't Have Last Names...Till Now[/post_page_title]
Until recently, the royal children didn't have last names.However, that changed with Princess Diana. She sent William and Harry to private schools outside of the palace, therefore they were in need of last names for like the first time ever. Now, the kids go by a singular surname instead of their royal title. So for example, at school Prince George is simply known as George Cambridge.
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Royal women are expected to keep their hands by their sides when descending the stairs. This one sounds a bit dangerous, would you not be allowed to hold a handrail, especially when wearing heels or a floor-length gown? If you think about it, it's a miracle that royal women haven't fallen down the stairs if they can't see where they're going because their chins are kept parallel to the ground and their hands are down by their sides.
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[post_page_title]#29 Handshakes Have Rules[/post_page_title]
Two shakes minimum and maintain eye contact during the handshake. Those are the two rules to handshakes that the royals must follow when they are mingling with the commoners. These rules are in place so that members of the Royal Family can avoid touching commoners for too long - ouch! - or to abstain from appearing as though they're giving preferential treatment to one handshake over another. Guess everything must appear equal.
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[post_page_title]#30 Driving without a License[/post_page_title]
The Queen is the only person in Britain who can drive without a license. Doubt she even has a license since she is not required to drive with one. She can also get away without having plates on her car. If any of us did that, again, we'd get fined big time. I guess for everything the Queen can't do - like eat shellfish or wear a crop top - there are some perks to what she can do.
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