Short Skirts Are a No-No
Many girls might think that being a monarch meant walking around wearing pretty dresses all day. While part of that is true, these princesses have some specific rules to follow when it comes to picking their outfits of the day.
For the most part, the regulations revolve around what should be worn when paparazzi are around. Royals must wear modest apparel and cover up as much of their flesh as possible. That is why Kate’s skirt length is usually knee-length or longer. Additionally, if it ever appears that she has bare legs, the Duchess of Cambridge is most likely wearing skin-tone pantyhose. Apparently, wearing one in front of the Queen is a must!
Her Hats Complete the Look
There is a long-standing reason why Kate always wears a hat when attending gatherings. Nope, it’s not just used to shield her pretty face from the sun’s scorching heat—it’s so much more than that. In the 1950s, showing off one’s hair in public was considered impolite for upper-class women. As such, the tradition is continued even in today’s modern times.
In addition, a tiara is an obligatory attire for the duchess whenever she attends a royal dinner function. This accessory is considered to be a marriage symbol in some communities. Of course, everyone knows Kate is already hitched to Prince William, but it doesn’t hurt to show off a bit of sparkle every now and then, right?
Unintentional Peep Shows Aren’t Tolerated
There have been a few mishaps with Kate’s skirt being caught by the wind and blown away. During an interview with the Evening Standard in 2012, one of the duchess’ designers, Jenny Packham, revealed that she was surprised to receive a small handwritten note from a lady in Wisconsin vehemently denouncing me for the primrose yellow shift dress she created for the Kate.
In the letter, the woman asked Packham if she ever considered adding some weights to the dress hems to prevent them from flying all over the place. Come to think of it, that sounds like a great idea and should be used for all dresses moving forward—for royals and commonfolk alike!
She Should Always Be Prim and Proper
People expect a lot from royal figures like Kate Middleton, from their outfits down to their decorum in public. Not only should they be on their best behavior, but they should look the part too. The women in the Windsor family must maintain a demure disposition even when doing the simplest things, such as sitting.
As seen in this picture, Kate kept her legs securely in place by keeping them together and never crossing. Following a specific position would ensure her dignity and composure is intact. Even the duchess’ chin position should be slightly slanted to give off an approachable vibe. What a lot of work!
Clean Nails Are the Way to Go
As the head of the royal household, the Queen imposes a few standards of royal dress, some of which sound tougher than others. We’ve already discussed her stance when it comes to short skirts and other accessories, but it turns out there are a few other things one should be mindful of.
According to reports, the Queen disapproves of colored nail lacquer on both male and female members of the royal family. This rule is why Duchess Kate’s nails usually appear as natural as possible. When it comes to shoes, think twice about wearing wedge sandals in the Queen’s presence as she finds them distasteful. Better get the proper heels out, Kate.
Must Keep Makeup to the Minimum
Times have changed, and the net is exploding with images of people trying out bold fashion choices, from outlandish hairstyles to colorful eyeshadows. No matter the temptation to join the trend, the duchess must publicly keep her hair and makeup subtle. Her dressing style has to be understated yet elegant at all times.
We have always seen her donning clothes with neat lines, and her hairdos stay classy and simple. Kate’s makeup has evolved over the years from dark eyeliners and rosy blushes to bronze eyeshadows and lighter hues that are more in line with the rules of the royals. You’ll never catch her wearing anything dramatic. Subtle and majestic has always been her signature style.
Not Allowed to Wear Fur
When there are so many fashion rules to follow, we are bound to catch the royals flout a few now and then. Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, wore fur in 2016 when she wasn’t supposed to, according to a 700-year-old rule. In 1337, King Edward III of England passed a Fur Act that banned people, including his family, from wearing fur in their outfits.
The Queen has flouted this norm on a few special occasions before but from 2019, she has stopped wearing any new clothes and accessories made of fur. Kate and the other royals have had their old fur replaced with faux fur.
Pack a Black Outfit for Trips Abroad
Whenever the royals travel abroad, an age-old custom needs to be followed of bringing a Black ensemble to wear during the mourning period, if any. Sounds morbid, but this protocol has been set in place just in case a sudden demise in the family requires the members to be seen wearing only black outfits in public.
Kate has been religiously following this tradition on her tours, as expected of everyone in the royal family by the Queen. The black attire is handy, especially if she must travel back to Britain at a moment’s notice to attend the funeral. Even the royals need time to prepare for emergencies.
Rule Says Skip the PDA
Of all the royal protocols that the family has to follow, the one forbidding a couple to show any signs of affection towards each other in public doesn’t seem fair. Still, Kate has been sincerely sticking to this tradition since becoming part of the royal family.
The skip-the-PDA motto is to ensure the royals carry the image of a person out on business, and any show of affection would be distracting for their audience. While visiting foreign countries, the rule is enforced even more strictly to avoid disrespecting local conservative cultures. A case in point is Kate and William’s stoic poses in front of the Taj Mahal in India during their 2016 visit.
Selfies Are a Strict No-No
Not a day goes by without pictures of Kate Middleton looking gorgeous being uploaded on the net; none of them are selfies for a reason. One of the royal rules is that no member of the royal family is allowed to take a selfie, no matter how much of a trend to take one, and post it on social media for the entire world to see.
The only selfies are those some lucky fans of Kate manage to take with her during her public appearances. Similarly, autographed photographs are strictly prohibited due to the fear of their signatures being copied and misused.
She Accepts All Gifts
Sometimes, when you receive a gift that you don't like, you're not obligated to accept it. While it might be against social norms, you wouldn't turn heads for refusal to receive a present. The same cannot be said for Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Whenever Kate is presented with a gift, she has to accept it. Whether it's a life-size butter sculpture of Prince Harry or a scented royal jelly candle, the Duchess has a duty to take the present. Rejecting one is terrible manners and portrays the entire royal family in a bad light. We wonder what some of the strangest gifts Kate has accepted in the past are!
Always Be Respectful to Your Hosts
While it goes without saying that you should always respect them and their space when you visit someone, the royal family takes it a notch higher. When they visit another country, they always make sure that they dress in their host's fashion and color.
It might sound strange, but that small gesture goes a long way in building bridges between the two nations. A case in point, when Kate and Prince William first visited Ireland in March 2020, the Duchess ensured that she wore Ireland's national color, green. Considering that they are outright diplomats whenever they're on foreign soil, it all makes sense that they respect their host's norms.
She Must Follow the Curtsey Order
We all know that the royal family has a set of etiquette that every member follows to the letter. One of them is curtseying, and Kate is expected to curtsy to the Queen, Prince Charles, and Camilla whenever the situation demands it. Also, she's officially required to curtsy to the princesses born to the title, which includes Eugenie and Beatrice. Yet, that only happens when she's not with Prince William.
If William is with her, the princesses are required to bow to William and Kate. This is as confusing as it gets, and we wonder how she managed to keep up during her first months in the royal family.
The Hierarchy Is Respected During Dinner
You'd be mistaken if you thought royal hierarchy only applied during public events. Any royal family fan must have noticed that whenever there is a royal or national occasion, the Windsors always arrive at the venue in a specific order. This is not random, and it also applies to daily, private activities.
During mealtimes, the royals walk into the dining room in a procession, following the sequence that they are in line to the throne. We bet it might take a while before everyone, especially the young princes and princesses, know the order in which they show up to have dinner.
No Garlic or Shellfish in the Diet
Mealtimes at the royal table aren't for everyone, and things can get a bit complex. Reportedly, the Queen doesn't like garlic so you wouldn't find it in any meals in Buckingham palace. Shellfish is also out of the menu, as it may cause allergic reactions, so the royal family stays away from the delicacy.
That aside, there is a specific way that you're supposed to drink from a teacup. You are supposed to hold the top of the cup handle with your thumb and index finger with your middle finger at the bottom. Are you confused? We thought so. That's the royal family mealtime etiquette for you.
Don't Screech the Plates Kate
Cutlery etiquette is a big deal in the royal family, and Kate is not exempt from this rule. Screeching cutlery on plates is no. This rule seems like a no-brainer since we doubt anyone ever likes hearing the sound of screeching plates and forks.
Additionally, knives belong to the right hand while the forks go to the left with the prongs facing down all the time. In our opinion, this rule might need some adjustment along the line since left-handed folks might have some difficulty adapting to cutting with the right hand. Either way, cutlery etiquette classes are a must for anyone joining the royal family; otherwise, they're in for a wild ride.
Don't Wipe With the Hand That Feeds You
Table manners in the royal family don't start and end with cutlery and crockery; even napkins have specific guidelines to be followed. For example, no family member can have a messy face during dinner meals. Using the back of your hand to wipe away the mess is frowned upon, so napkins are a must.
Maybe it's time these guys invested in some serviettes because washing napkins is not a fun job. Jokes aside, we doubt this is a rule Kate needed to be reminded of as she is a lady through and through. We can't even imagine her having a messy face during meals, let alone using her hand to wipe away something.
Say the Magic Words to Exit
Going to the bathroom should also be done in style. Whenever the Duchess feels like leaving the main floor during a dinner function, she just needs to say "excuse me" without adding anything else. No explanation is necessary as Kate must never appear vulgar or crass.
This is a rule we feel everyone should adopt. We are adults; after all, we don't need to advertise our bathroom breaks to all and sundry. Additionally, it's a pretty cool way to escape a conversation without leading to a misunderstanding. The royals sure have some cheeky ways to save face while maintaining decorum.
The Queen Must Hear This First
Baby news is a big deal in the royal household, and the queen is the first person in line to receive the information. Aside from the parents, the queen will be informed immediately after a pregnancy is confirmed and after the delivery.
In Kate and William's case, the prince had to call his grandmother through a secure line to inform her of the birth of Prince George. If this is how announcements are made, we wonder how the baby showers and gender reveals go down. Is the queen invited? Are there unique decorations and rules? Come on, give us more information to borrow.
Political Neutrality Should Be Observed at All Times
As far as politics is concerned, that is a grey area for members of the royal family. Kate is not allowed to pick a side regarding a political issue, especially to the media. Some even wonder if the Duchess is allowed to vote.
Interestingly, voting in the royal family is a bit of a conundrum, considering most choose not to. Even so, there's not a rule explicitly preventing them from voting, but it would be pretty weird if you're the only one going against the grain. So maybe it's time this rule got reworked to allow progress and involvement of the empire.
The Refined Royal Handshake
Who would have thought that something like a special royal handshake existed? Well, it turns out there is one taught to them after all. When shaking your hand, the royal family member will grasp it firmly, look you in the eyes and give your hand one or two prim pumps.
They will then smile gracefully and move on to shake the next hand. Now you want to shake a royal’s hand so bad, don’t you? However, since that’s not going to happen easily, you best believe those who have or at least from watching a video of the refined royal handshake.
You Stop Eating When the Queen Stops Eating
If you thought the royal rules wouldn’t get to you, then you have never had a desire to dine with the Queen. In the long list of royal etiquette, there is a rule that says that when the Queen decides she has had her fill at the table, everyone else must also drop their forks.
It is considered an impolite act when someone continues eating once the Queen has stopped. Those who have dined with her must have made sure to gobble down as much in the most cultured way lest they end up with their half-full stomachs still craving more.
The Royals Don’t Play Monopoly.
Now this one is quite an interesting rule. The royals don’t play Monopoly in the royal home because it can get quite ruthless. Should we tell them that is Monopoly simply being Monopoly? We will say, though, that we have seen how bad it can get and imagine the restraint.
Once, Prince Andrew was presented with the classic Monopoly board game at a function, and he made it clear that there was no chance of him picking the board game up from the Community Chest. His reason was they aren’t allowed to play Monopoly at home since it gets too vicious of their competitive nature.
A Different Plane Ride for Each Royal Heir
You probably didn’t know of this royal rule we’re about to share, so here we go. The rule says that two heirs to the royal throne aren’t allowed to ride on the same plane to prevent the two of them from being in a fatal crash. This resolve makes practical sense, but we still understand Prince William and Kate defying this rule.
The couple seemingly enjoys the thrill of traveling together as a family as they will often fly with their spawn Louis, Charlotte, and George. We pray the royal family’s fear and wariness don’t prove inevitable in the end.
The Queen Must Approve a Union.
This rule is more of a mother’s rule than a royal rule, but the world likely drew influence from the throne back in the day. The royals have one significant rule when it comes to marriage. Before they even get as far as marriage, the Queen has to approve a royal son’s proposal before they get down on one knee.
It’s a rule that is written down in the law. The 1772 Royal Marriages Act decrees that British royals must have permission to pop the question from the reigning monarch. We understand any mother would do anything to have the chance to permit her son’s proposal.
A Royal’s Wedding Bouquet
Ever since Queen Victoria began her reign over England, a new tradition during the royal weddings arose that has been common in each of the ceremonies after her marriage. One would assume it could be the traditional white dress that the bride would adorn, but instead, it is the bouquet of myrtle that a royal bride carries while walking down the aisle.
Interestingly even the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, had one made for her big day. The custom originates back in the 19th century when Prince Albert's grandmother gifted the former Queen a twig of the flower. The shrub is known to bring luck and fidelity, so using it for a bridal bouquet became a custom.
Royal Weddings Comes With New Titles
While usually at a wedding you present a gift to the newly married couple. Although during a royal marriage, the bride and groom receive their new titles apart from presents. It is a betrothal tradition that the pair be given titles by the monarch practiced over the years.
After Kate Middleton married Prince William, she received the honor of being called the Duchess of Cambridge, and her husband would be called the Duke of Cambridge. While these titles are valid in England, Kate and her partner in Scotland have the rank of Countess and Earl of Strathearn. Therefore, one cannot address the royal couple with any other name after receiving the honor.
Tiara Only for After the Sun Sets
Every woman's favorite accessory that she would love to wear on each occasion is a sparkly tiara. While for commoners like us, the rules are pretty simple when it comes to wearing this piece of jewelry, you wear it and sparkle in the crowd. Nonetheless, things don't work the same in the case of the royal ladies, and there are only such occasions when a monarch can don a tiara.
For starters, the crown is to be worn only at events that begin after 5 pm as the regals aren't allowed to adorn the diamonds during the day. An exception to this rule is weddings, as they generally take place when the sun is still up.
No Casual Nicknames for the Royals
Being a royal comes not only great responsibility but also some titles, and while addressing a family member, one needs to be addressed by their full name instead of the nicknames. After all, the position does demand some respect. So not referring to Prince William and Kate Middleton as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with an honor they bestowed upon them is against the tradition of the regals.
We have often seen how the paparazzi and fans of the royal family informally address their favorite monarch. Nonetheless, when in the palace, these casual titles are no good, and the rules are adhered to when referring to them.
That’s Not My Seat
Interestingly when Queen Elizabeth visited the sets of the fantasy drama 'Game of Thrones,' she politely passed the chance to sit on the Iron Throne. So, you must be wondering, while many look for an opportunity to get a picture on the prop, why would the monarch give up the prospect?
Well, there is a tradition that the reigning monarch of England would not be sitting on a foreign seat. It isn't a law but rather a practice followed in good faith to respect the authority of the ruling sovereign in another land. So avoiding a fictional throne too was part of the reasonable practice and nothing else.
No Looking Away From the Queen
Who can teach us manners better than the most-respected family itself? One principle they follow has been coined exclusively for Your Majesty! It simply tells people not to round their back towards her unless she does it first.
That’s right, those conversing with the Queen can never turn away unless she makes it clear that the talk is over by leaving the spot. Doing so ensures all essential factors are discussed before everyone goes for attending personal businesses. And it also avoids confusion; after all, we know that the British royalties aren’t fans of raising their voices when addressing someone.
Baptize Before Marrying Into the Family
A question people often ask is why Prince Harry made Meghan Markle convert to Christianity before marriage when she was initially a part of a distinguished Protestantism sect? Well, turns out, there might have been some pressure from the family because this ritual has been running since the time of King Henry VIII.
Baptism isn’t obligatory for most weddings, but a royal one indeed doesn’t come under the umbrella of those ceremonies. So, before joining the household, it is necessary for each member to be christened with holy water brought specially from the Jordan River as current archbishop of Canterbury leads these arrangements.
Take Training for Good Morality
Usually, children are caught riding bikes or even rolling in mud at parks, though ones from the monarch’s bloodline have already got enough on their plates to be doing any of these activities. These kids are busy catching up with etiquette classes.
A civility professional named Myka Meier once said that these lessons start as soon as a little one turns old enough to sit at a dinner table. Sure, all of this may sound like a headache, but the truth remains that first-hand experiences serve better than reading a dozen books on a specific topic! As the saying goes, “Beliefs don’t make you a better person; good behavior does.”
Christmas Day Isn’t for Opening Presents
By now, you must be thinking that England’s throne is so harsh, and after reading the title of this section, your opinion must have strengthened further. This thought, anyhow, is incorrect as there are extremely fun bonds past these rules, which are overlooked in painting a half-baked scenario.
Presents aren’t open on Christmas day because more than serious gifts, these boxes are packed with surprising pranks. Everyone gets a chance to show their fantastic sense of humor and sometimes even take revenge for a previous misdeed. For example, long ago, Duchess Kate gave Prince Harry a ‘grow your own girlfriend’ package– adorable, right?
Shorts Are for the Young Ones
Trousers are considered formal wear for everyone around the world… well, not in this case as royal children have been instructed to wear shorts when in public. Most people believe this is because the makers of such a policy think pants are a cloth for the middle class when it’s, in fact, not true.
Another etiquette expert once told Harper’s Bazaar that it’s in English culture for young boys to dress in shorts, whereas trousers are preferred for boys and men of older age. Now, we understand this has nothing to do with the class structure, just Your Highness keeping decades-old traditions in check!
The Royals Wear Uniforms Too
In the royal house, uniforms are a whole other level of need if not mandatory. Especially on special occasions like weddings and Trooping the Color, uniforms are indispensable. For example, Prince Harry and Prince William wore military uniforms at their weddings.
Since the two princes have served in the army, it is tradition for them to dress like the military. Prince William served in the RAF and holds the title of Colonel of the Irish Guards, who wear a red uniform. As for the ladies, the uniform rule isn't an exception for them either. Princess Anne is the perfect example of a royal lady who looks dutifully dashing in her uniform.
They Can Wear Jeans Sometimes
With the uniform being an occasional thing, the royal dressing falls across a range of fashion statements and pieces. We have especially seen its evolution along with the evolving fashion world. Today, royals can wear jeans but only when it is appropriate. Appropriate in this case means during their downtime but certainly not at the Royal Box, even at Wimbledon.
In this photo for instance, Meghan Markle attended the 2019 Wimbledon wearing a jeans. She is seated next to her pals and not in the royal box; something the media implied was as a result of choosing to wear denim trousers.
A Baby's S*x isn't RevealedBefore Birth.
It seems the royal family has held on to the traditional gender disclosure of a child. While back then, this was the earliest time they could tell the child's s*x, technology has made it possible to tell the child's gender as early as before 14 weeks gestation.
Despite this advancement, the royal house still waits until after birth before announcing the gender of their babies. They may go for the ultrasound scan, but there are no gender-reveal parties. Sometimes they also choose to wait along with the public to learn about the child's gender – It happened for Williams and Kate's son, George.
Keeping It Smart Casual
No one said the royal ladies shouldn't dress casually. If anything, we've seen their smashing casual looks more times than we can count. Still, there is a rule even for casual days dressing. Besides reserving jean wear for when they are walking their dog, the royal ladies are expected to wear a smart day dress or trousers paired with a jacket or cardigan whenever they go casual.
The rule not to show cleavage is a serious one that the royal ladies have ensured to adhere to—even style icons like Princess Di and the conservative ones with a sense of fashion like Kate.
The royals Don't Just Eat Anywhere.
Of course, you didn't think the royals would pop by your place for a chicken dinner. Maybe they do it with their closest family and friends, but outside in public, the royals only eat at official events. It must be for safety reasons as they aren't just official events but sanctioned ones.
Food safety is a principal issue in the palace, and food has to be safe for the royal family's consumption. However, according to the queen, there is to be no risk of food poisoning for the royals and other people as well, so she will randomly have dishes selected for her at official banquets.