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10 bizarre royal rules that still exist
Weird Royal traditions that will leave you speechless
The British Royal Family sparkles in public, but peek behind the palace doors and you find a rulebook stranger than fiction.
From meal mischief to dress dilemmas, brace yourself for 10 royal oddities that still rule Buckingham today and every royal knows better than to break one of them.
No Garlic Allowed at the Royal Table
Queen Elizabeth II decided garlic was a homewrecker for breath and, with one chewy edict, banished it for good. Royals still munch with mint and dill, trusting cuisines that whisper “elegant” instead of “tango.”
The Queen Must Approve All Wedding Dresses
Every future duchess already dreams of her dress, but only Granny-in-Chief hands out the royal stamp. Gown hunting turns into royal summons—”Lady, showed us the hem, and don’t keep us waiting.”
Two Heirs Cannot Fly Together
No, that isn’t paranoia—it’s Cirque de Succession. A royal cousin’s charter could sneeze through a thunderclap, and up could go a whole continent of kings. So flying “recycled, never side by side” is the motto.
The Original Royal House-Rule
It sounds slightly absurd, but there was a royal decree – no Monopoly, thank you – because even crown jewels couldn’t calm the family’s cutthroat real-estate dreams. Picture a prince, ever so princely, stuck forever at Whitechapel.
Swan-Census and the Monarch’s Flock
It’s not just a cake-tower legend: the ruling head still gets the royal of all swans gliding the English waters. To stay “in the loop,” there’s a seasonal swan census, adorably branded “Swan Upping.” Scepter not required; a fancy rowboat does the job.
Tiara Rules for Women
Only married royal women get the crystal crown moment. If you haven’t said “I do” to a prince (or even an earl), that dazzling spire stays behind museum glass.
No Signing, Period
Autograph requests meet a polite but firm “I can’t.” Royals do it to keep forgers at bay, not to drop the mic at the meet-and-greet.
No Invading the Queen’s Space
The number-one backstage rule: grip-and-grins happen, but keep your fingers to yourself. Even prime ministers perfect the hovering wave.
Lights-Out Queen Style
Lights dim when Her Majesty’s eyelids weigh down the royal eyelids. Clock-watchers, you’re in for the long haul in the drawing-room.
The Ballot—Not for Royals
Fancy living in a democratic Britain? Royals still hush their opinions at the polls. No left, no right, just royal neutrality under the tiara.
