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60 Strict Rules the Royal Family Has to Follow

Not married? No tiaras for you.

By Ruby Buddemeyer and Charlotte Chilton

Dec 12, 2019

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From specific diets to forbidden board games, the world's most-watched family has more random rules than you'd expect. Click through for the 60 weirdest, strictest traditions that the royal family is (pretty much) required to follow.

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When 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.

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Bowing and curtsying is a requirement.

Men of the royal family perform a neck bow, while women curtsy when greeting the Queen.

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Marriage comes with a new name.

Members of the royal family take a new name when they're married.

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PDA is looked down upon, especially while traveling.

The royal family even refrain from holding hands.

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Approval is needed before a proposal.

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

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The Queen picks out a bride's wedding tiara.

Just because you're royal, doesn't mean you can wear any tiara you want. The Queen ultimately decides which tiara a royal bride will wear from her collection on her wedding day.

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A royal wedding bouquet must contain myrtle.

Every royal bride carries myrtle in her wedding bouquet.

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Every royal wedding party must include a crop of children.

Royal wedding parties are usually made up of younger children.

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Until 2011, the royal family was prohibited from marrying a Roman Catholic.

Now, the family can marry someone of any faith.

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The family can't have political views.

They aren't allowed to vote or speak publicly about politics either.

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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.

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Monopoly is a forbidden board game amongst the family.

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

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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.

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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.

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Two heirs aren't allowed to travel together.

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

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

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

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The family can't eat shellfish.

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

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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.

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They can't wear fur.

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

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The Queen always wears gloves.

Based on the number of hands she has to shake, it makes sense that Her Royal Highness opts for gloves during public engagements—she doesn't want to get sick!

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