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50 Strict Rules the Royal Family Has to Follow

Not married? No tiaras for you.

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By Ruby Buddemeyer
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Getty Images

From specific diets to forbidden board games, the world's most-watched family has more rules than you'd expect. Click through for the 50 weirdest, strictest traditions that the Royal Family is (pretty much) required to follow.

1 of 50
<p>When the Queen stands, it's <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/International/story..." data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">protocol</a> for everyone to follow.&nbsp;</p>
When the Queen stands, you stand.

When the Queen stands, it's protocol for everyone to follow.

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2 of 50
<p>When dining as a family, after the Queen has taken her last bite, everyone needs to <a href="http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/the-baffling-world-of-royal-etiquette-strange-rules-and-bizarre-protocol-over-the-ages-monarchy" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">stop eating.</a></p>
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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3 of 50
<p>Men of the royal family preform a neck bow, while women curtsey when <a href="http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/the-baffling-world-of-royal-etiquette-strange-rules-and-bizarre-protocol-over-the-ages-monarchy" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">greeting the Queen. </a></p>
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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4 of 50
<p>Members of the Royal Family take a new name when they're <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/Guide-British-Royal-Titles-12059086" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">married</a>.&nbsp;</p>
Marriage comes with a new name.

Members of the Royal Family take a new name when they're married.

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5 of 50
<p>The Royal Family even refrain from <a href=" http://people.com/royals/why-kate-middleton-and-prince-william-never-show-pda/ " data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">holding hands.</a></p>
PDA is looked down upon, especially while traveling.

The Royal Family even refrain from holding hands.

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6 of 50
<p>According to the <a href="http://www.brides.com/gallery/british-royal-wedding-traditions" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Royal Marriages Act of 1772</a>, royal descendants must seek the monarch's approval before proposing.&nbsp;</p>
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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7 of 50
<p>Every royal bride carries <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/royal-wedding-the-meaning-behi" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">myrtle</a> in her wedding bouquet.&nbsp;</p>
A Royal wedding bouquet must contain myrtle.

Every royal bride carries myrtle in her wedding bouquet.

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8 of 50
<p>Royal wedding parties are usually&nbsp;made up of <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/look-back-royal-bridesmaids-pageboys-10448795" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">younger children.</a></p>
Every Royal wedding party must include a crop of children.

Royal wedding parties are usually made up of younger children.

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9 of 50
<p>Now, the family can marry someone of <a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/02/royal-marriage-rules-the-laws-that-bind-william-and-kates-romance" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">any faith.</a> </p>
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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10 of 50
<p>The Royal Family <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/british-election-can-queen-vote-royal-family-prince-william-kate-middleton-622958" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">isn't allowed to vote</a> or speak publicly about politics.&nbsp;</p>
The family can't have political views.

The Royal Family isn't allowed to vote or speak publicly about politics.

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11 of 50
<p>Since voting is off the table, members of the Royal Family aren't allowed to hold any type of <a href="http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=272463" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">political office.</a></p>
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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12 of 50
<p>Quite possibly the weirdest rule, the Royal Family <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/3816544/Royal-Family-not-allowed-to-play-Monopoly.html" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">can't play Monopoly</a>. (Though we imagine this is a "rule" that can be broken.)&nbsp;</p>
Monopoly is a forbidden board game amongst the Royal 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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13 of 50
<p> At dinner parties, the Queen begins by speaking to the person <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/11702422/Queen-tells-Lewis-Hamilton-Mind-your-manners.html " data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">seated to her right</a>. During the second course of the meal, she switches to the guest on her left.&nbsp;<span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></p>
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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14 of 50
<p>Every family member must be prepared with a funeral-appropriate ensemble, in case of a <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/a-weird-rule-requires-royals-to-always-pack-this-one-item-for-travel-and-theres-a-morbid" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">sudden death.</a>&nbsp;</p>
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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15 of 50
<p>Once Prince George turns 12, he and Harry will have to <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2527737/Prince-William-break-royal-rules-travel-baby-George-Australia-breach-protocol-direct-heirs-flying-together.html" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">fly separately.&nbsp;</a></p>
Two heirs aren't allowed to travel together.

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

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16 of 50
<p>Don't even think about approaching them with that <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/Rule-About-British-Royal-Family-Signing-Autographs-43601909" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">selfie stick.</a> </p>
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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17 of 50
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/royal-family-no-shellfish-rule-2017-8?r=UK&amp;IR=T" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Shellfish</a> is off limits to the family, namely because it is more likely to cause food poisoning than others.&nbsp;</p>
The family can't eat shellfish.

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

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18 of 50
<p>It's rumored that the royal family <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/lebron-james-broke-royal-protocol-pic-kate-william-article-1.2038905" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">can't&nbsp;be touched</a> by non-royals, and Kate's awkward reaction to LeBron James throwing his arm around her in a photo is full-blown proof.&nbsp;</p>
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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19 of 50
<p>In the 12<sup data-redactor-tag="sup">th</sup> century, King Edward III banned all royals from wearing fur—but this rule has been <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1342639/Shame-Queen-Camilla-endorsing-fur-hats-Christmas-Day.html" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">repeatedly broken.</a><br></p>
They can't wear fur.

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

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20 of 50
<p>Seating is arranged by <a href="http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2011/2011/officialdinnershowitworkstheseatingplan.5.70e7de59130bc8da54e80004137.html" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">order of precedence</a> at all royal events, but factors like age, language, and interests go into account when organizing events.&nbsp;</p>
Event seating is very much planned.

Seating is arranged by order of precedence at all royal events, but factors like age, language, and interests go into account when organizing events.

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21 of 50
<p>The Office of the Marshal of the Court refer&nbsp;to themselves as <a href="http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2011/2011/officialdinnershowitworkstheseatingplan.5.70e7de59130bc8da54e80004137.html" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">"mini hosts."</a> </p>
In fact, there's an entire office dedicated to the organizing of guests.

The Office of the Marshal of the Court refer to themselves as "mini hosts."

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22 of 50
<p>The Royal Family's dress code is <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40640634" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">modest</a>, and no members are seen in casual clothing.&nbsp;</p>
The Royal Family must adhere to a strict dress code.

The Royal Family's dress code is modest, and no members are seen in casual clothing.

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23 of 50
<p>He always wears tailored shorts, <a href="1.&#9;https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/4049950/the-royal-familys-dress-code-explained-from-prince-georges-shorts-to-the-queens-gloves/" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">never pants.</a><br></p>
Even Prince George has a dress code.

He always wears tailored shorts, never pants.

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24 of 50
<p>The fancier, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40640634" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">the better.</a></p>
Women must wear hats to all formal events.

The fancier, the better.

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25 of 50
<p>If an event is held indoors after 6 p.m., women swap their hats for <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40640634" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">tiaras.</a> </p>
After 6 p.m., hats are off and tiaras are on.

If an event is held indoors after 6 p.m., women swap their hats for tiaras.

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26 of 50
<p>A&nbsp;woman who attends an event sans tiara is <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/4049950/the-royal-familys-dress-code-explained-from-prince-georges-shorts-to-the-queens-gloves/" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">on the market.</a> </p>
But, tiaras are reserved for married women.

A woman who attends an event sans tiara is on the market.

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27 of 50
Although tiaras were traditionally worn towards the front of the head, the modern style is worn farther back on the head at a 45-degree angle. 
Getty Images
And tiaras must be angled properly.

Although tiaras were traditionally worn towards the front of the head, the modern style is worn farther back on the head at a 45-degree angle.

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28 of 50
<p>Every morning, the Queen has English breakfast tea (duh) followed by <a href="http://us.hellomagazine.com/cuisine/2015090427085/queen-elizabeth-peek-at-breakfast/" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Cornflakes.</a> </p>
The Queen's breakfast menu is nonnegotiable.

Every morning, the Queen has English breakfast tea (duh) followed by Cornflakes.

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29 of 50
<p>The family is required to graciously accept the many (and <a href="http://time.com/3666893/royal-family-gifts-declared/" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">bizarre</a>) gifts they're given &nbsp;on a regular basis.&nbsp;<br></p>
The family must accept gifts.

The family is required to graciously accept the many (and bizarre) gifts they're given on a regular basis.

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30 of 50
<p>The family's annual Christmas celebration is held at the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and she arrives <a href="http://us.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016121535060/queen-royal-family-christmas-traditions/" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">a week early to prepare</a>.</p>
The Queen insists on spending a week preparing for Christmas.

The family's annual Christmas celebration is held at the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and she arrives a week early to prepare.

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