Training Begins At Two
Often, etiquette training for royal children starts as early as two years old. This is in order to ensure that they learn how to act properly in public and not have any public faux pas. The training typically involves posture, what is allowed to be talked about in public, what a proper handshake looks like, and much more. However, as kids will still be kids, there are some moments like this one with Prince Louis, that they get away with a bit of cheeky behavior anyways.
Training Begins At Two (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Gift Etiquette
Most people don’t think twice when their child receives a gift, but that is not the case with royals. Most royal children are given countless gifts from people they have not met, and they have to gracefully accept them all so as they won’t come across as rude. However, they are only allowed to keep the gift if they’re worth up to $200.
Gift Etiquette (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Special Diets
The royal children are not allowed to have any processed foods as well as packaged foods. There are exceptions every once in a while of course, but generally, they are required to be given healthy foods that will help them develop a refined palate as adults. While they are certainly wealthy enough to afford anything they want, they strict rules in place ensure that they are given healthy and balanced diets.
Special Diets (Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
No More Monopoly
Most children enjoy playing games, and royal kids are no exception. Did you know that at a certain point, The Queen forbade the children from playing Monopoly after a game became way too heated and competitive. Prince Andrew said: “We’re not allowed to play Monopoly at home. It gets too vicious.”
No More Monopoly (Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Proper Dress Length
Every member of the royal family is always expected to be dressed properly, and the kids are no exception to this rule. While the girls are permitted to wear dresses, they are expected to be knee length or longer. In fact, you will rarely see Princess Charlotte wearing shorts or pants, though there are some occasions where that rule is bent. She will typically be seen wearing knee length skirts or dresses as well as a pair of Mary Jane shoes.
Proper Dress Length (Jonathan Brady/Pool/Getty Images)
Well Mannered Behavior
As the royal children are raised knowing that they could one day occupy the throne or a role close to it, they are expected to be on their best behavior at all times. If they do act up in publicly, they are met with a serious scolding. This is why etiquette training comes in so early in their lives and the expectations are sky high from day one.
Well Mannered Behavior (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Travel Rules
Chances can’t be taken when it comes to heirs to the throne traveling. There is a rule in place that multiple heirs to the throne cannot travel together on the same flight, should a disaster take place. This rule is in place in order to protect the royal lineage. Once, Prince William flew with his son Prince George, and this sparked some controversy. Of course, some exceptions have been made, but the rule is strictly enforced.
Travel Rules (Karwai Tang:WireImage)
They Are Expected To Attend
While royal children do not have to attend every single event that royal adults must make an appearance at, they are not exempt from all events, no matter how uninteresting they may be for children. This includes charity events, royal tours, and events like the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
They Are Expected To Attend (Karwai Tang:WireImage:Getty Images)
No Wearing Black
The royal children are not allowed to wear black during the day, as these are reserved for mourning. An exception that was made for Prince George once was to be able to wear an all-black military suit for a wedding. One bizarre custom is that they all must have a black outfit ready in case a tragic sudden death takes place.
No Wearing Black (Anwar Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)
An Expected Title
As with many things that have to do with Prince Harry, there was plenty of controversy when his first child, Archie, was born. Many were shocked to find out that they baby was not immediately given a title like his brother’s children were given upon birth. Archie was eventually given a title, which means he is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and since King Charles ascended the throne, he is now Prince Archie.
An Expected Title (PA/thesun.co.uk)
Shorts As Status
It might sound odd but there’s a tradition in the royal family for the boys to wear shorts until they are 8 years old. Only then are they allowed to begin to wear trousers. This rule is a historic one, and is said to signify their status, as it is considered to be middle class for young boys to wear trousers, that are meant for older boys. We wonder how they manage during the winter months.
Shorts As Status (Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)
Restricted Diets
As previously mentioned, the royal children are given healthy diets throughout their lives. While they are allowed treats every once in a while, there’s one thin that they will never be given, and that is shellfish. The reason for this is to avoid any complications with bacteria and food poisoning. Better safe than sorry!
Restricted Diets
No Tiaras Until Later
While most images we have in our minds of princesses will typically involve tiaras, these are not actually worn by young princesses until they are married. In fact, only married princesses are allowed to wear a tiara at all. That’s why you’ll see princesses wearing sparkling tiaras on their wedding days.
No Tiaras Until Later (Andrew Matthews/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Newborn Gown
When a royal baby is born, the rules of society immediately begin to apply in their lives, starting with their very first life event, which is the baptist. While at the baptism, it is expected that the baby be baptized while wearing the Honiton christening gown. There was even a replica made so that the future generations will be able to participate in this tradition as well.
Newborn Gown (Dominic Lipinski/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Extra Secured Playdates
While royal kids are still kids after all, of course they have days filled with playdates with their friends. However, what makes these playdates different is that they have a pretty intense security process involved. Friends are first vetted and then their parents are made aware of protocols before the playdate happens.
Extra Secured Playdates (Pool/Sam Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)
Minimal Expression
Royals all have to be impartial in their opinions, in particular in public. Of course, if this rule is broken, it is highly frowned upon. Once, Prince William and Kate were accused of showing affinity to a particular team when they dressed Prince George in an England soccer jersey, even though they’re all meant to stay netural.
Minimal Expression (Carl Recine/Pool/Getty Images)
Their Special Wave
You might have seen this one before, but did you know that the royal wave has a name? It’s called the Windsor wave, and even the royal children must do it while greeting people in public. The reason behind it is that it actually prevents injuries while waving for so much time.
Their Special Wave (Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)
Must Serve In Military
All of the boys of the royal family must serve some time in the military. King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry have all served. That means that Princes George and Louis will also be expected to serve in the military when they grow up. This is meant to show their dedication to the country.
Must Serve In Military (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
No Presents On Christmas Day
There’s a German tradition of opening gifts on Christmas Eve and not on Christmas day, and the royal family follow this tradition as well. They also must attend church service and Christmas lunch, where they’ll have their own table, along with the rest of the royal family, which takes place at church.
No Presents On Christmas Day (Kristy O’Connor/Pool/Getty Images)
Princess Royal Title
The title of Princess Royal is reserved for the oldest daughter of the Sovereign. Currently, Princess Anne holds this title, but the one who is next in line to receive the title is William and Kate’s daughter Charlotte. She will be just the 8th person to receive this title.
Princess Royal Title (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Still Royal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines when they announced that they will be stepping back from their royal duties. However, since their kids Archie and Lilibet are actually still part of the royal family and in the line of succession, they are not free of their royal obligations in the future.
Still Royal (savwithstories/Instagram)
Their Own Security
Being a part of the royal family unfortunately involves a certain level of risk when it comes to safety, which is why security is such a huge part of their lives. This also applies for the royal children, for example, Prince George and Princess Charlotte have their very own security that always travel alongside them.
Their Own Security (Matt Durham/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Curtsy Lessons
We all associate curtsies with high society and etiquette, and that’s no coincidence. Starting at age five, royal children are taught how to curtsy, which they must do when they are greeting the King or Queen. Kids are expected to do this, even if they’re curtsying to greet their own grandparents.
Curtsy Lessons (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Multi-Lingual
While this is not a strict rule, is it quite common for royal children to study additional languages, which is said to have been inspired by the Queen’s love of the French language. King Charles, Prince William, and Kate all know French. Prince George began learning Spanish when he was just two years old.
Multi-Lingual (Jayne Fincher/Getty Images)
No Grandma
When Queen Elizabeth II was alive, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were not allowed to refer to her as “grandma.” However, they did not need to refer to her with a royal title, but rather they could call her “Granny” or “Gan-Gan.” Perhaps she just hated the word grandma!
No Grandma (Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images)
Luxurious Childhoods
As expected, royal children have access to luxurious lifestyles, which includes growing up in the best properties available to humans. Kensington Palace is where Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children are growing up, not too shabby! They have more than 20 rooms available to them there as well as swimming pools, tennis courts, and upscale living quarters.
Luxurious Childhoods (Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images)
License To Drive
Did you know that the Queen was at a time the only person in the UK who was allowed to drive without a driver’s license? However, royal children do have to learn how to drive and take a test in order to get a driver’s license. This is one rule they’re not exempt from due to being royal.
License To Drive (Hulton Archive/Central Press/Getty Images)
Expensive Education
Royal children are sent to top private schools, which each cost a pretty penny. Royal children were once educated by private tutors, but beginning with Prince Charles, royal children began attending private schools. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis all attend a private school, all of which have a high level of security.
Expensive Education (Richard Pohle/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Chance Of Becoming Queen
The line of succession lets us know who will becoming the next ruler of England and who comes next, as well as who should rule in case there are interruptions in the line of succession. In 2013, the Succession to the Crown Act was passed, making female children eligible to rule if they are older than their brothers.
Chance Of Becoming Queen (Charlotte/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Need Passports
Royal children have the privilege of traveling all around the world from a young age. However, they are just like the rest of us and need a passport to do so. They’re issued passports the moment they’re born, so that they can travel along with their family whenever needed.
Need Passports (Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The Great-Grandkids
After the Queen passed away, Charles became King, which means the next person in line for the throne is Prince William. His oldest son, Prince George is next in line after him, and then comes Princess Charlotte, and then Prince Louis. The King’s great-granddaughter Savannah Phillips is 18th in line.
The Great Grandkids (Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)
Wanted Normal Life For Them
Since Princess Diana married into the royal family, she knew a life outside of it, which is why she tried so hard to give her sons any sense of normalcy during their childhoods. She took them skiing, to theme parks, and tried to have them play as much as possible. Now that they’re grown up, they try to do the same for their children, with Harry stepping away from royal duties altogether to let his kids have a normal life.
Wanted Normal Life For Them (Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
Titles Change
Royal children are born with titles, but these change, often a lot, throughout their lives. Once they get closer to the throne, the longer their list of titles becomes. Prince William is next in line to the throne, which means his first born son George will then receive his father’s titles once he becomes King. This is part of why royal children don’t use last names but titles instead.
Titles Change (Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
Spend Time In Nature
Though the royal children are living with the many rules and expectations that come with their titles, often their parents try to give them some sense of normalcy. William and Kate want their kids to spend as much time as they can enjoying nature and play outside.
Spend Time In Nature (Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)
The Royal Treatment
While royal children will travel with their parents often, once they reach a certain age, they will no longer be allowed to travel with their parents, as two royals in line to the throne cannot travel together. However, they are given the full royal treatment while traveling on private jets.
The Royal Treatment (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Royal Birth Announcement
When a royal baby is born, there is always an official announcement made to the world. The announcement will inform the public about how the birth went, the baby’s name, as well as the baby’s gender. Prince William and Kate followed this protocol, while Prince Harry and Meghan opted out and kept the information private for a bit longer.
Royal Birth Announcement (George W. Hales/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Not Exempt
From the time they’re young, royal children are expected to be at royal engagements, even if they are long and not so interesting for young kids. These include family services, christenings, weddings, and public events like Trooping the Colour.
Not Exempt (Tim Graham/Getty Images)
Only Dresses
For royal girls, dresses are the typical attire you’ll see them wearing, which is a tradition that goes back to Princess Anne, the Queen’s daughter. According to royal expert Marlene Koenig: . “They tend to wear smocked dresses as little girls when they are in public with their parents.”
Only Dresses (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Matching Kids
At least publicly, it used to be quite common for royal siblings to match one another’s outfits while attending public engagements. However, it doesn’t seem like this tradition has continued these days, though the kids are usually at least in coordinated outfits that don’t clash with one another.
Matching Kids (Lisa Sheridan)
No Baby Food
Royal babies and toddlers are never given canned or jarred baby food. They have a team of private chefs whipping up meals for them. Former royal chef Darren McGrady made plenty of meals for Prince William and Harry while they were growing up, which he revealed included a lot of steamed pears and apples.
No Baby Food (Keystone France/Getty Images)
