It's no secret that the royal family has a whole set of rules that anyone who is a part of it has to follow. However, you probably didn't know how comprehensive and strange some of the rules are, especially when it comes to people like Kate Middleton. As she will be queen consort in the future, she actually has some special rules that only she has to follow. From skirt length to hat positioning, you might be surprised to learn how strict life as a member of the royal family actually is.
The Duchess Must Wear a Hat
Can you imagine what it would be like to have to wear a hat whenever you go out in public? In previous decades, it was considered improper for a woman to go out in public without a hat and it looks like this tradition has kept a hold with the royal family. As a result, women in the royal family, like Kate Middleton, are urged to wear hats whenever they go out in public.
If they are going to an event that is both indoors and outdoors, she has the option to switch from a hat to a tiara when going between the locations.
Kate Is Not Allowed to Play Monopoly
Ok, so this one is a little bit strange and slightly different from all the others. It is not an official rule that was put in writing once the game Monopoly was invented, but it is an unofficial rule within the Royal family. Prince Andrew once told the world that they do not play competitive games like Monopoly in fear of a family dispute as a result of over competitiveness.
It seems like this is something they have had problems with in the past, that caused them to create this rule and it probably extends to other types of games as well.
Kate Must Be an Expert at the Royal Wave
The concept of the royal wave is not just a myth that you hear about. It is actually quite important in the life of a royal and is something that is taken very seriously. There are a whole set of rules that surround the "Windsor wave" that Kate must abide by at all times. This wave was designed to make them appear more elegant and also prevent them from straining their wrists (due to excessive waving).
What exactly is the royal wave? It may appear slightly strange to someone who has not seen it before, but it is just a vertical wave with a slight movement around the wrist.
Brightly Colored Nail Polish Is Not Allowed
It's funny to think that the rules get so specific as to not allow the Duchess to wear brightly colored nail polish. But they seem to have thought of everything and brightly colored nail polish is not allowed. She is only allowed to wear subtle and traditional colors. That means no bright reds, purples, greens, blues, or really anything along those lines. She can only wear beige or light pink if she wants to go crazy.
This rule also applies to hair colors as well, which means that you most likely will not be seeing the Duchess with brightly colored hair or nail polish anytime soon.
Fur Is Strictly Forbidden
If you are a part of the Royal family, as of 2019, you are not allowed to wear anything that is made of real fur. Although this may seem like it is just a part of the trends of the world, the rule actually has origins that date back to 1137. King Edward III made a law that no one was allowed to wear fur, even his own family.
Although you may be confused by the sight of Kate Middleton with a "fur" hat on, it is actually fake fur which is completely allowed and does not go against any rules.
The Princess of Wales Must Always Be Neutral
It's not just Switzerland that stays neutral in most situations, Royal family members also have to do the same thing. They are not really allowed to give their opinions on politics or political situations, especially when they have to go to the media. They should not let their political opinions be known to the world. Their opinion is mean to be kept to themselves and not shared with the world.
It makes sense that they can't share their political opinions with the public as it is not really relevant to the general public as their position is not political.
She Must Always Be Prepared With an All Black Outfit
There is nothing more important than being prepared for every occasion if you are a part of the Royal family. As a result, whenever the Princess of Wales goes abroad she has to bring an all black outfit with her. This is just in case someone from the Royal family dies while she is abroad and she must be prepared to go into mourning with the appropriate attire in the meantime.
This is a pretty depressing thing to think of when you are just trying to go on a short trip abroad. However, that is one of the circumstances and requirements of being part of the Royal family.
There Is No Undressing in Public
Ok, so this might sound a little extreme and obvious at first...that a royal like Kate Middleton cannot be seen undressing in public. However, when you realize what qualifies as undressing, you will understand that it is not so obvious in the end. For example, taking off a coat is considered undressing and Kate cannot be seen doing so in public. If she wants to remove a coat, it must be in private.
Imagine you are wearing a coat outside and then have to walk indoors where it is hot. You have to wait until you can take off your coat in private before you can relieve yourself of the coat.
She Must Be Careful With Her Colors
Most people don't give much thought to the colors that they wear when they leave the house. They just pick out whatever is easy and readily available in their closets. However, Kate Middleton does not have the luxury of being that flexible. They have to carefully choose the colors that they wear before any event. As can be seen in this picture, the Duchess is wearing green in preparation for her visit to Ireland.
While some people might see this as trying a little too hard, this is what the Royal family has to do to come across as diplomatic and considerate when they travel to other countries.
Kate Middleton Has to Always Have Knee Length Skirts
Modest dress is something that is very important when it comes to someone who is a part of the Royal family. You can't be showing too much skin, especially when there are people waiting on every corner to get photos of you. The Duchess, as a result, has to wear skirts that are a minimum of knee length. They can be longer, but they are not allowed to be any shorter than that.
They really want to avoid the risk of a skirt blowing up in the wind and exposing the Duchess to the world. Sometimes she will even put stones or weights in the hem of her skirts to prevent them from blowing in the wind.
Curtseying Rules Are Very Important
If you want to understand all the rules involved with curtseying within the Royal family, you may be left researching for at least a few hours. The rules are not simple and they can get quite confusing. For example, Kate has to curtsey to the King, but not to the princesses if Prince William is with her. However, if she is alone, then she does have to curtsey to them.
It must be hard to keep track of all the different instances where curtseying is expected or required. There is certainly a lot to remember when you are in a different situation.
There Are Many Etiquette Rules for Dinnertime
Although etiquette is generally a thing of the past, that is most definitely not the case when it comes to the Royal family. The Princess of Wales certainly has her fair share of rules that she has to follow when it comes to dining and dinnertime. There are some obvious rules like not getting food all over your face while you are eating and then less obvious ones like what to say if you have to get up from the table.
If she has to go to the bathroom all she should say is "Excuse me" with no further explanation. The people around her do not need to know where she is going.
When the Monarchs Finish Eating, so Must the Duchess
Continuing on the theme of etiquette when it comes to meal time, the timing that you eat is also very important within the Royal family. If the Queen or the King finishes eating and puts their forks and knives down, so must everyone else. You can only hope that at that point, you would have already finished your whole dish because you aren't allowed to pick your forks back up.
Although nothing will happen to the person who continues to eat even if the King or Queen has finished, it is considered extremely rude and lacking etiquette and politeness.
Jeans Are Usually Not Allowed
The thought of seeing members of the Royal family in jeans almost seems too taboo to imagine. It would make sense that they are not really allowed to be worn on most occasions, especially in any formal or official appearances. They are also not allowed in the Royal Box at Wimbledon as they are seen as too casual. Meghan Markle didn't seem to care much for the rules, however, and wore whatever she wanted in Wimbledon.
Kate Middleton generally follows the procedure much more than Meghan, however, and you probably won't see many photos of her in jeans as a result.
She Has to Know the Secret Handshake and Signals
Ok, so the Royal family does not have an actual secret handshake, however, they do have something similar. There is a very specific way that they have to shake people's hands. They cannot just go with a firm handshake. There are specific rules surrounding the eye contact and length of shake. There are also many different little signals that the royals can do that show the people around them something in code.
Some of the most important signals used to surround the Queen and her purse. It all depended on where she puts her purse and that determines the meaning.
Wedge Shoes Are Frowned Upon
This interesting rule that Kate Middleton has to abide by is not proven to be true, but from the looks of things, it most likely is. Many people claim that the Queen had an aversion to wedge heels and as a result, no one is supposed to wear them around her. While The Duchess might have kept this rule while she was around the Queen, she did not feel the need to keep it when the Monarch was not around.
It's a shame that wedge heels are frowned upon, they are so much more comfortable than thin heels! No wonder Kate continues to wear them whenever possible.
Kate Always Has to Accept the Gifts Given to Her
Well, this rule might not be the worst that is on this list. After all, who can complain about being obligated to take all the gifts that someone offers you? Kate Middleton, and any member of the Royal family for that matter, has to accept any gift that is given to them by the people. Hopefully, no one tries to give them any sort of dangerous gift and then they would be obligated to take it.
What do they do with all of the gifts that people give them? Do they regift them or donate them somewhere? There must be a lot of random gifts lying around if not.
She Is Not Allowed to Take Selfies
Have you ever wondered why you never see any candid, selfie photos of the Royal family? Well, it would probably be because they are not allowed to take selfies, technically. Although it may seem like a very strange rule to have to enforce, maybe it only means that they can't take selfies that they then share with the world. So never try to get someone from the Royal family to take a selfie with you.
If you want a picture with a royal, like a typical fan photo, you will probably be out of luck. Unfortunately, they are not even allowed to take one with you, even if they would want to.
The Monarch Must Always Be Told First
You probably wouldn't think that there is a specific order of people that need to be informed of certain important news events and big moments, however if you have a Monarch in your life, there actually is. If Kate Middleton finds out that she is pregnant, she can notify her parents first, but then she must notify the Monarch immediately after. This is actually written in law for the Royal family.
There is also a law that goes back to 1772 actually and states that people need to ask permission from the Monarch in order to get married or propose.
She Has to Be Careful What She Eats
Would you ever think that there is a whole list of things that the Royal family is not allowed to eat? Because there certainly is. In general they are not allowed to eat high risk allergy foods like shellfish in case one of them may actually be secretly allergic. There are some rumors that garlic is also not really allowed, although this is not proven as a fact just yet.
There are even many rules about how you should hold a teacup. As can be seen in this picture, Kate is doing very well and holding it properly.
Her Wedding Must Follow the Protocols
Of all things that you would expect to have many rules within the Royal family, the wedding would be high on the list. It is no surprise that there is a seemingly endless list of rules that apply to anyone who is marrying into the Royal family or any members of the Royal family who are getting married. There are some less important rules like which type of flowers must be in the bouquet and some more important rules about titles and naming.
These are just two examples of the very extensive list of do's and don'ts that the royals must abide by when they are getting married.
The Duchess Cannot Turn Her Back on the Monarch
As a sign of respect, there is a rule that no one can turn their back on one of the monarchs, whether it be the King or the Queen. This rule applies to the Princess of Wales along with everyone else. It was created to prevent the mistake of someone walking away while the Monarch is still talking to them, which would obviously be a bit mistake and a huge embarrassment.
Now that you know this fact, you'll probably notice that all of the Royal family makes sure to keep their backs away from the monarchs at all times...facing only forward!
The Duchess' Children Need to Be Multilingual
Life as a child in the Royal family does not sound like a piece of cake. Although it may seem fun to grow up as a prince or a princess, it's probably not quite all that it's cracked up to be. Besides the etiquette classes that they have to take and the bodyguards that follow them around everywhere they go, they also have to speak at least one other language.
Most of the royals choose to learn French or Spanish, but it is a requirement for them to speak at least one other language...as would make sense with anyone in a diplomatic position.
Public Displays of Affection Are Not Allowed
It must be difficult enough to be told how to dress all the time, but to top it off, the Royal family is also told how to behave towards their loved ones. For example, displays of affection in public are strictly prohibited. It is considered to be unprofessional and it is not allowed. They have to maintain their look when they go out in public and that means no affection.
It's almost as if they have to pretend that they are not a couple when they go out in public. They have to refrain from hand holding and touching essentially of any kind.
All Royal Children Must Take Etiquette Classes
Considering how many different rules those of the Royal family must follow, it probably comes as no surprise that they had to take an extensive amount of classes that teach them about etiquette from a young age. Children and adults alike must know how to behave properly in all situations and what better way to learn about all the rules than to take classes from a professional who knows all of them by heart?
All of Kate Middleton's children would have to follow the protocol and take etiquette classes so that they will be well behaved in all situations.
Military Uniforms Must Be Worn on Many Occasions
Although it might sound funny that an adult would have to wear their uniform in appropriate situations, this is actually quite the norm in the Royal family. As most male members of the Royal family served in the military, they are supposed to wear their military uniforms in many public appearances. As the women of the Royal family usually do not serve in the military, they usually do not have to wear that uniform.
There is one woman in the Royal family who does have to wear a military uniform in some circumstances and that is Princess Anne as she is an honorary admiral.
You Cannot Reveal the Baby's Gender Until After Birth
Although gender reveal parties have become all the rage in recent years, it looks like the Royal family will never be able to take part in the trend, unless they want to have the party after the baby is born. It is technically not allowed to reveal the gender of a royal baby before it is born. As a result, many members of the Royal family choose not to even find out themselves until after the baby is born...surprise for everyone!
There is also a tradition surrounding the blanket that the baby is swaddled in once they are born. It is a custom, hand knitted shawl made just for the baby.
Kate Had to Give Her Babies Multiple Names
Did you know that babies that are born to the Royal family usually have a whole list of names...not just a first name and a last name? Not only do they have a middle name, but they usually have multiple middle names. For example, Prince William's full name is actually Prince William Arthur Philip Louis. That's quite a mouthful and a lot to write on forms or with a signature.
That's an interesting thing to keep in mind when Kate has children. You have to think of a whole slew of names for each child...at least if you can't decide, you know you can do multiple.
Kate and Her Children Always Have a Bodyguard
It's unfortunate to think that all members of the Royal family need to have a bodyguard with them at all times, but that is just the way things go. Don't think for a moment that this does not apply to the children as well. The children sometimes even have multiple bodyguards just to keep them safe. Although it seems like a sad way for a child to grow up, it is better than taking the risk.
Some members of the Royal family have even more than just one or two bodyguards...they can even have up to five people following them around at any given time.
Only the Married Royals Get to Wear a Tiara
You probably never gave much of a thought to who wears a tiara in the Royal family. Obviously, it is only the women who wear them, but did you know that it is only the women who are married? Unmarried women and princesses are not allowed to wear tiaras as they are a sign of marriage. It is common for royals to wear one on their wedding day in particular.
After the wedding day, it is quite rare to see a royal wearing a tiara. Kate Middleton wore one for the first time at her wedding and has been seen in one only occasionally since.
If the Princess of Wales Has Any Children, They Must Be Baptized
There are many aspects of the lives of royals that they do not have the luxury of being in control of. For example, all the children of the Royal family must be baptized. To take it one step further...all members of the Royal family must be baptized, even those who marry into the family. Kate Middleton also had to ensure that her children were baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The baptism ceremonies are also usually quite public and are shared with the entire country and the world. It is almost as important as Royal weddings to some!
No One Can Borrow the Duchess' Tiara
There seems to be a lot of talk about tiaras when it comes to royals. Although you wouldn't think it would be this important, it actually is. Each married royal woman has her own tiara and she is not allowed to wear anyone else's and no one else is allowed to borrow hers. They are all very distinct and different so everyone would know if they swapped them for the day.
The tiara is like a crown, but for members of the Royal family that are slightly less important. It makes sense that no one else can wear their "crown".
She Must Always Wear Pantyhose
It seems like skirts or dresses and heals are quite common when it comes to the attire of the Royal family. However, you will never see any woman in the Royal family, especially Kate, wearing a skirt with no pantyhose. As these outfits are often paired with high heels, the combination can present a problem and cause slipperiness and discomfort. Kate has come up with a solution for this though.
Kate apparently wears little heel pads that stick to her shoes to keep her feet from slipping around whenever she walks.
Kate Needs to Be Modest at All Times
You might not even understand fully how important modesty is for the Royal family, but these examples might give you a better idea. For example, the way she sits is of the utmost importance. She cannot cross her legs around the thigh and yet she needs her legs to be together at all times. That means that she needs to sit with her legs at an angle, uncrossed, with her thighs together.
It's funny to see how Prince William can apparently sit just about however he would like compared to Kate. His legs are quite far apart compared to Kate's positioning.
Be Careful With the Throne
It probably does not come as too much of a surprise that who sits on the royal thrones is of the utmost importance. The only surprise here may be that the Queen is not allowed to sit on the King's throne and vice versa. Everyone must sit on the throne that is designated and created for them...there is no wiggle room with this and it is likely that no one would even try.
That means that Kate Middleton, although she is the Princess of Wales, would not be able to sit on any of the thrones even if she had the desire to.
She Must Prevent Fashion Faux-Pas
Besides the stress of just being a member of the Royal family whose every move is watched and scrutinized by everyone, you also have to remember that every aspect of their fashion choices is also constantly criticized by the entire world. One of the famous mistakes they made was when this photo was taken. They were visiting the Solomon Islands and they wore Cook Islands outfits by mistake to dinner.
Since this incident, Kate actually created a whole system of color coordination to make sure that this wouldn't happen again.
Kate's Hair Must Always Appear Perfect
Although there is no exact description of what "perfect" means, it is widely accepted and assumed that the members of the Royal family (specifically the women) have to ensure that their hair is always neat and perfect at all times and in all circumstances. Although you might think this occurs as a result of tons and tons of hairspray, there is actually a much more natural alternative that they usually use.
If you zoom in on this picture you can see that Kate actually uses a hairnet to keep her hair in place at all times.
Babies and Pregnancies Are No Joke
It makes sense that pregnancies and babies are perhaps the most important thing in the Royal family. After all, without children, they cannot keep their lineage going. As a result, they have a very extensive and large group of staff who are required to keep all the information they learn completely confidential. Just as baby showers aren't really a thing or so much allowed, privacy is key for the babies.
Pregnant royals are also able to get a few months off from royal duties, to make sure that the pregnancy is the top priority.
Kate Must Always Keep Her Toes Covered
It seems like there are quite a few rules surrounding shoes on this list of things that Kate Middleton has to follow as the Princess of Wales. Whether it is the type of heel or the fact that she cannot wear sandals and must keep her toes covered at all times, it seems like uncomfortable shoes are her fate. In the name of appearing professional, proper, and elegant, she must also be uncomfortable many times.
This must be particularly bothersome in the summer months when you just want to wear cool shoes.