Top 10 Craziest Facts About the Royal Family
#10: Monopoly Is Off Limits
When it comes to etiquette and security, a lot of the royal rules tend to make sense, but Queen Elizabeth’s Monopoly ban certainly is one of the stranger ones. However, once you hear the backstory, you’d probably start to see reason with Her Majesty. As we know, family game nights can get pretty intense, even when you’re a Royal. According to Prince Andrew, the game isn’t allowed at home because of the “vicious” behavior that ensues while playing. Equally comical and relatable, this regulation is one that some families might consider implementing in their own households—unless you truly enjoy heated arguments about fictional money and real estate.
#9: The Reigning Monarch Doesn’t Require a Passport
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Now this one isn’t nearly as relatable. Apparently, the reigning British monarch is permitted to head wherever they like without a passport. This is because all UK passports are issued in the sovereign’s name, so it’s a little redundant to possess one themselves, which makes sense if you think about it. However, this luxury only applies to His/Her Majesty, so other Royal family members do in fact travel abroad with the identity document, just like the rest of us. And if you were wondering about driver’s licenses, the same exemption is in place, for the exact same reason.
#8: Black Clothing Is a Travel Essential
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Speaking of travel, the Royals always have black formal attire packed in their luggage. This may seem surprising given the warmer climates they sometimes visit. However, the reasoning is as understandable as it is bleak. Should anyone in the family, God forbid, pass away whilst they are on their trip, the Royals would have to wear a black ensemble. That way, they can be appropriately dressed for the grieving mood. Image, tradition, and protocol are non-negotiables in this family, so it's important to ensure that mourning garments are accessible when needed.
#7: No Signing Autographs
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While we often think of the Royals as celebrities, approaching them to get an autograph will likely be met with a “no”. The longstanding British command is reportedly in place to protect family members from forgery. Considering their elite status and beloved reputation, this rule may seem a bit silly but it’s not so hard to wrap your head around. While you certainly shouldn’t expect any of them to grace you with a signature, the Royal family members have always been generous with their elegant smiles, waves and handshakes.
#6: Very Specific Chores
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It’s no surprise that the Royals have staff to perform a variety of chores, but some are strangely specific and unexpected. Beyond typical Buckingham palace work like cooking and cleaning, other chores have included breaking in the late Queen Elizabeth’s footwear, and ironing King Charles’ shoelaces. It’s the shoelaces in particular that we have a difficult time wrapping our heads around. The King also apparently has his staff squeeze an inch of toothpaste onto his brush every morning. Imagine putting that on your CV …
#5: Custody of Grandchildren
Reigning monarchs lay some level of claim to quite a lot in Britain, including custody of their own grandkids. Thanks to a centuries-old law enacted in the 1700s during King George I’s reign, full legal custody of the young royals goes to the sovereign. This law was apparently created because of King George’s strained relationship with his son. Though royal family relations are not quite as volatile these days, the law has technically not been changed three centuries later. While the Queen didn’t seem to take advantage of the rule in the parenting of Princes William and Harry, she did legally have the final say when it came to big decisions.
#4: No Body Contact Beyond a Handshake
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This is one that's been broken plenty of times, but the unspoken rule is technically still in place. We’ve seen just how down-to-earth today’s Dukes and Duchesses can be, but still, brief hand contact is about as far as you should go. This requirement may not be stipulated by the monarchy, officially, but that doesn’t stop it from being frowned upon. Essentially, it's best to not attempt contact unless it's initiated by the Royal themself—unless of course you’re Michelle Obama.
#3: The Queen Created a New Breed of Dog
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Though often perceived as stoic and stone-faced, the Queen routinely lit up when in the presence of certain special beings—the Royal corgis. She was famously fond of the loyal puppers and took her love to a whole new level when she essentially created a hybrid. When one of her corgis mated with a dachshund belonging to her sister, Princess Margaret, the Dorgi was born. The dog-loving siblings continued to breed Dorgis, whose fur coats feature a variety of colors, including gold, brown and black. As if that wasn’t adorable enough, the Queen bestowed names like Pickles, Chipper, and Candy unto the pups—solid evidence of the warm and humorous charm under the serious public demeanor.
#2: Double Birthdays
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Unlike us commoners, Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed two birthdays per year—one on April 21st, the day she was born, and the other on the second Saturday of June. The June celebration is a formal, public parade known as “Trooping the Colour” and it is held in much more pleasant summer conditions. The tradition started with King Edward VII, who decided to celebrate his birthdays in the summer instead of November, which was plagued by poor weather. King Charles, whose birthday is on 14th November, is set to follow the same tradition. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Reigning Monarch Owns “Fishes Royal” & Other Wildlife A 1300s Statute Gives Reigning Monarchs Ownership of All Sturgeons & Whales in the Realm, as Well as its Swans Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Phillip Were Related The Couple Were Third Cousins, Both Descended From Queen Victoria The Royals Travel with Blood The Monarch & Their Heirs Stay Ready For Emergencies Kate Is the First Royal Wife With a College Degree The Duchess Is Beauty & Brains with a Master’s in Art History The Queen Stuck to One Nail Polish Color Essie’s Ballet Slippers Was the Queen’s Go-To Shade
#1: The Reigning Monarch Awakes to Bagpipes
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Instead of having that horrid smartphone tone going off to start the monarch’s morning, a musician known as “Piper to the Sovereign” plays bagpipes by their window each day at 9am for 15 minutes. The piper performs the rousing function at most of the royal residences, except the one at Sandringham, due to a lack of bedroom space for him. This royal alarm clock tradition began in 1843 with Queen Victoria, who especially loved the instrument and its melodies.
