Everyday Things the Royals Aren't Supposed to Say, Wear, or Do

If we've learned anything by watching The Crown, it's that being in a royal family is way harder than they make it look. Everyone — young and old — must abide by a set of rules put in place by previous monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II. Even the most standard behaviors, phrases, foods, and fashion choices are off limits for the entire royal family, from Prince Louis to the Queen. Some members of the royal family are held to a higher standard, especially if they are in line to the British throne (Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince George, for example). Here, we've rounded up 50 of the most shocking, unconventional, and downright confusing things that differentiate royals from everyday folks like yourself — nixing pasta from the dinner menu, refusing to call their parents "mom" and "dad," and so much more.
But as the saying goes, some rules are made to be broken (say, wearing wedges instead of heels?). As time goes on, the royals are loosening the reins, making these guidelines mere suggestions — or at least that's what it looks like.

The Brits usually use "mum" and "dad" to refer to their parents. The royals go full "mummy" and "daddy" no matter what age they are.

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Here's one that has a bit of leniency. While no one would dare call the Queen "Lizzy," and all the royals refer to Kate Middleton as Catherine, Prince Harry's real name is Henry.

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You won't see the royals dressed down very often, but when they do, there are specific guidelines they are expected to follow. It's all about modesty. Men should keep things casual with a blazer or collared shirt with khakis (and jeans on rare occasions.) Women should go with a day dress or pants with a cardigan or jacket.

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Interjecting a conversation by saying "pardon" might seem like the proper thing to do, but the royals just say "sorry." This is possibly due to the fact that "pardon" has French origins.

Queen Elizabeth has been wearing the same Essie "Ballet Slippers" pink nail polish for decades. There is a royal rule that any member of the family on official business must have natural-looking nails, which limits them to either subtle pink or clear polish.

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A good royal knows how to make a toast. They are expected to have something more to say to their dinner guests than a simple "Cheers!"

Fancy hats are one of the most fun parts of royal fashion. After sunset though, it's hats off and tiaras on for married members of the royal family.

They like to beat around the bush with this one. It's considered gauche to say you need to use the bathroom or toilet. Members of the royal family refer it to as the loo or lavatory.

Relaxing in the palace usually happens in the "sitting room" or "drawing room." Living rooms are nowhere to be found in Buckingham or Kensington.

This one dates all the way back to the 14th century when King Edward III banned all royals from wearing fur. The rule is often broken, but these days the members of the family face backlash from anti-fur activists when they decide to do so.

Queen Elizabeth II is the only person in the UK legally allowed to drive around without a license and without plates. The rest of her family can't drive without them.

When spending time in the "sitting room," one doesn't sit on a couch. It should always be referred to as a sofa.

Even members of the royal family succumb to their need for sweets. Instead of dessert, they request a "pudding."

It's always summer weather for Prince George and Louis. There is a tradition in the royal family and other members of high society that little boys wear shorts until they reach a certain age. Pants are reserved for teenage boys and men.

When Prince Charles wants more food, he asks for a second "helping" rather than another portion.

A classic black look will never go out of style, but the royals reserve it for evenings and funerals. The Queen made a rule that all members of the family must bring a black outfit with them when traveling in case there is a sudden death while they're away.

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Camila isn't trying on perfume. She's simply shopping for a new "scent."

What the Queen says goes, and she apparently hates wedge shoes. Kate Middleton has been photographed wearing them on several occasions, but royal sources claim that the women in the family are warned not to wear them when they're around HRH.

Royal women are not supposed to show cleavage. Princess Diana's iconic fashion didn't always fit the bill, which is why she always used her clutch to cover up as she was climbing out of cars.

Slow eaters may want to decline invitations to dine with the Queen. The rule stands that nobody should eat once HRH has finished her meal. When she places her bag on the table, the meal is over.

The royal household recommends hairnets for women in the royal family to keep their updo's in place during royal engagements — with no fly aways in sight.

Here's that modesty thing again. Royal women are not supposed to show too much leg. To avoid doing so, they are encouraged to wear tights or sheer pantyhose to keep their legs covered.

Royals are expected to always present themselves as pressed and polished. For that reason, most of their clothes are made from durable materials that won't crease easily. Linen is known to wrinkle quickly.

The Queen's corgis have power, too. They essentially have free rein to do as they please because it's common knowledge in the palace that nobody is allowed to yell at the dogs, no matter their behavior.

HRH has never been a fan of garlic, which means that no food served at Buckingham Palace contains it.

Royals are not allowed to accept food or drinks from strangers at unsanctioned events. Since they no longer travel with tasters, this rule is to protect them from being poisoned.

Sneaky people may have managed to snap them, but selfies are frowned upon in the royal family.

Marrying a prince might seem like a fairy tale, but don't make a big show about it. Members of the family are expected to keep their composure in public and refrain from getting too lovey dovey.

The younger generations are more relaxed about this royal rule, however the future King and Queen are still very selective about when they choose to hold hands in public.

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Heirs to the throne never travel together as a safety precaution. This royal rule was established back when air travel was more risky than it is today. Regardless, the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince George never ride in the same plane all at once.

This might seem strange, but the royal family and politics don't mix. They don't vote, they are not supposed to express political opinions, and they are also not permitted to run for office of any kind.

All royals avoid eating shellfish, since it's the seafood that's most likely to cause food poisoning. Yikes!

Although it sounds silly, this royal rule is in place for security reasons. If there was an emergency upon arrival, the royal could swiftly go back into the car and be driven away from the scene.

The Queen may have enacted this rule more due to her preference for sitting behind the driver's seat than actual royal protocol, but nonetheless, she is the Queen.

No one should upstage the Queen — and her staff makes sure of it. Before any event she is attending, the rest of the royal family are prepped with the specifics of her outfit to avoid mishaps.

Sometimes you'll see royals with arms full of flowers while greeting well-wishers, that's because they can't refuse them. The same rule goes for gifts — no matter how strange they may be.

Although the royal family are some of the most high-profile people in the world, don't expect to snag an autograph from any of them. The royal family is prohibited from signing autographs as a way to prevent forgeries.

Kicking your shoes off at the beach seems like a natural instinct, but if you're a royal, it would be a breach of protocol. There have been countless royal engagements where royals are forced to slug through the sand wearing flats, loafers, even heels.

Baby showers aren't a traditional custom in the United Kingdom. In most cases, friends wait until the baby is born to bring gifts and see the baby.

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In keeping with royal tradition, after their nuptials, the bride and groom both receive a new name after being granted new titles by the Queen. For instance, on William's wedding day, he received the title of Duke of Cambridge and no longer uses his father's surname, Wales.

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At formal engagements, the royal table is precisely laid out with guests being placed next to one another based on age, interests, and gender. You're required to follow the lead of your host, the Queen: She speaks with the guest on her right during the first course, before turning to the guest on her left for her second.

Modest dress is required for all royals, and at certain events, like the Trooping of the Colour and Remembrance Day, this is especially stressed.

It's tradition that unmarried women don't wear tiaras in order to show that they are available. This is why you didn't see Kate Middleton sporting a sparkler until her big day.

As a nod to their German heritage, the royal family exchanges presents on Christmas Eve, instead of Christmas morning.

They may sound delicious, but the Queen has a strict ban on the following foods for dinner side dishes. Bummer, we know.

Instead, members of the royal family must walk backwards and pivot forward.

This isn't official protocol, but Prince Andrew revealed to the media that there aren't any family game nights featuring Monopoly in the Palace. He added that the games have gotten too vicious in the past.

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Kate Middleton has mastered the duchess slant, where you join your ankles and slide your legs to the side (though, she isn't doing it here!). This is protocol amongst women in the royal family, but exceptions are made for more casual engagements.

Sure, they are the very definition of posh, but the royal family would never describe themselves, or anything for that matter, as being so.

Especially when embarking on a tour, the royals have to be prepared for everything. Which results in a lot of suitcases.