18 Fascinating Things You Probs Didn't Know About The Royal Family

    Is a life without garlic worth a tiara?

    Audrey Engvalson
    by Audrey Engvalson

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Direct heirs aren't allowed to travel with each other.

    Pool / Getty Images

    William and Charles, or William and George, or Charles and George, aren't allowed to travel in the same vehicle as each other whether it be a plane or an automobile. The reason is, if there was a fatal accident, multiple heirs wouldn't be lost. William has broken this a time or two to fly with his son, but only with the Queen's approval.

    2. Kiddos can't open presents on Christmas Day.

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    All royal children open their presents on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is reserved for church and watching the Queen's address.

    3. The Queen has to approve every menu.

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    Palace chefs run recipes, menus, and suggestions by her so she can decide what's served.

    4. And they seldom eat starches.

    Pool / Getty Images

    The Queen isn't a fan of starches, so it'd be surprising to see pasta, rice, or potatoes on a dinner menu for the Queen.

    5. Or garlic.

    Wpa Pool / Getty Images

    Obviously, you don't want your breath to smell like garlic when you're interacting with the public or other dignitaries, so you're not going to find it served in Buckingham Palace.

    6. They don't say "pardon."

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    There are a ton of words that the royal family steers clear of because they don't sound as good as alternates. One of these is "pardon." Instead, you'll simply hear them say "sorry."

    7. They accept the gifts they're given, but the Queen decides if they can keep them.

    Chris Jackson / Getty Images

    The royals are showered with gifts. Harry and Meghan were given over nine million dollars in wedding presents alone, but they aren't allowed to keep all of them. They don't usually return gifts worth more than 150 pounds, and the Queen has the final say on what is kept.

    8. They have to pack a black outfit with them wherever they travel in case they're required to mourn.

    Chris Jackson / Getty Images

    In 1952, King George VI, the current Queen's father, passed away while she was on holiday in Africa. The Queen had to wait on the plane until a proper black mourning outfit was delivered to her. Now, royals must be equipped if an occasion like that is to happen again.

    9. They don't vote.

    Toby Melville / AFP / Getty Images

    The official website of the UK government says, "Although not prohibited by law, it is considered unconstitutional for the Monarch to vote in an election." It is believed the rest of the family also tries to remain neutral.

    10. They must bow or curtsy to those higher in rank than them.

    Adrian Dennis / AFP / Getty Images

    Everyone bows to those higher than them in line to the throne. However, Duchess Meghan and Duchess Catherine don't need to bow to Princess Anne, Princess Eugenie, or Princess Beatrice when they're with their respective princes. When they're with their princes, they take their prince's rank and blood princesses bow to them.

    11. And everyone is required to stop eating when the Queen is done eating.

    Wpa Pool / Getty Images

    If you aren't done, it doesn't matter. Once the Queen is done, everyone at the table stops eating. She'll signal dinner is coming to an end by putting her purse on the table. Royal kiddos aren't exempt to this rule (however, they don't sit at the adult's table).

    12. They may never reprimand one of the Queen's corgis.

    Arthur Edwards / AFP / Getty Images

    This may be an old rule because the last of the Queen's corgis died last year. However, she does have two dorgis (corgi/dachshund mixes) that she walks daily. They eat gourmet meals prepared by a chef and delivered by a footman.

    13. You can't turn your back to the Queen.

    Chris J Ratcliffe / AFP / Getty Images

    You must wait until she leaves the conversation for you to leave.

    14. And it's considered bad form to go to bed before the Queen if you're staying in the same residence.

    Carl Court / AFP / Getty Images

    It's rumored that Diana HATED this rule and got so tired that she'd excuse herself to go to bed. The queen is a night owl, too, usually staying up until midnight.

    15. Coats are to be kept on at all times outside.

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    Once you're in a coat, you best not take it off until you're in private. You're committed. Hot? Rainy? Too bad, so sad.

    16. And little royal boys are to wear shorts, not pants.

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    Pants are reserved for gentlemen.

    17. They can't wear fur.

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    This was outlawed by King Edward III, but it has been ignored a time or two by Queen Elizabeth and Duchess Catherine.

    18. And even if you marry a royal, that doesn't automatically mean you become a royal yourself.

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    Basically, and I emphasize basically because it's very complex, if you marry a grandson in the monarch, you get a title, but you don't if you marry a granddaughter. The Queen ultimately decides who gets what titles.

    Want to know more about what the royal family does? Check out the rules Meghan Markle has to follow now that she's a duchess, or the rules surrounding her royal pregnancy!

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