We hope Meghan Markle doesn’t like shellfish…
The British Royal Family is a glamorous one, there’s no doubt about it. So it’s easy for us non-royal folks to daydream about being part of it someday, somehow. And why not? Jewels, palaces, people catering to your every whim… what could be better?
As it turns out, you can’t do whatever the heck you want when you marry British royalty. You have a whole new set of obligations and requirements, as well as a list of new things you’re actually forbidden from doing:
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When the royals take part in a walkabout, they are not allowed to take food or drinks. Why? For security reasons. Just as their ancestors used royal taste testers, royals today will not accept food because there is no way to verify that it is safe.
The Royal family is technically allowed to vote, but they choose not to because it’s considered unconstitutional and something that would take away from their ability to identify with and relate to all sections of society.
It was once a rule that two heirs were not allowed to travel together for fear that their aircraft would go down and Britain would lose two potential rulers in one blow. This rule is all but forgotten now but it still exists.
While people still call her Kate Middleton in casual conversation, no one would ever think of addressing her in that way in a formal setting. She can only be referred to by her full official title, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
In the past, the Royal Family was discouraged from eating shellfish out of concern for risking food borne illness and allergic reaction. The Queen, to this day, reportedly will not touch them.
Prince Charles’s younger brother, Prince Andrew Duke of York, banned Monopoly in the Royal Family because it reportedly became “too vicious” when they attempted playing it in the past.
No matter what the gift is, royals are expected not to say no to it. More often than not, gifts are usually flowers or tokens of symbolic gestures. But even the oddball presents must be accepted as well.
Anything given to any member of the Royal Family actually belongs to the reigning monarch. But Queen Elizabeth can loan out gifts to whoever she wishes; that’s why you see a lot of Princess Diana’s jewelry on other members of the Royal Family.
Fashion is a huge part of being a royal. That said, you’re expected to showcase an elegant and modest look without sending any unclear messages to the public.
You will always be in clear sight of the people of your country, the press, and anyone in the world who chooses to watch you. You cannot escape approval — or rejection — from the public eye.
Royals have to move in order of ranking. So since Queen Elizabeth II is the reigning monarch, she always goes first, followed by Phillip. Next come Charles and Camilla. And then it’s William and Kate. Harry follows behind them.
Anything other than official papers authorized by the Queen is a big no-no for Duchess Catherine to sign. This is to prevent her signature from being forged.
You are, however, allowed to make official activities and charitable causes, and support other royals on official missions.
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(Text by Jaclyn Anglis, bauersyndication.com.au / Additional reporting by Natalya Molok)