RD.COM Royal Family
Morgan CutoloUpdated: Dec. 02, 2022
Having your shoelaces ironed or toothpaste squeeze onto your toothbrush are just some of the perks the royals have access to.
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Ironed shoelaces
Prince Charles has three personal valets, all dedicated to maintaining the wardrobe of the prince and picking out what he will wear. Another thing they are responsible for? They have to iron the shoelaces on every pair of shoes the prince owns. These are etiquette rules everyone in the royal family must follow.
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The Queen can ban humor
Once Queen Elizabeth II dies, the people of Britain are banned from being funny on public television—seriously. BBC isn’t allowed to air anything humorous for the 12 days between her death and funeral. In the event of the queen’s passing, BBC will immediately stop what they’re doing, make the announcement of her death, and start airing the documentaries about the Queen’s life that have been pre-recorded. The station even has black suits and ties ready to be thrown on at a moment’s notice. You will never, ever hear the royal family say these words.
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The potatoes are measured
All potatoes are measured before they are served at Buckingham Palace. Why? It’s to make sure that they are of similar dimensions and don’t throw off the appearance of the dinner plate. Whether it’s the bizzare speculations around food or burning questions about British Colonialism, the Royal family has been in the center of many controversies.
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Someone to break in your shoes
The queen hires someone to break in her shoes for her so she doesn’t have to suffer in stiff, new shoes. She simply can’t be seen complaining about uncomfortable footwear or wanting to change her shoes so someone else makes sure they are comfortable for her. These are surprisingly frugal spending habits of the royal family.
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No washing machines
Prince Charles and duch*ess Camilla’s clothes are not allowed to be cleaned in washing machines—everything is hand washed. When they sent their clothing away to be cleaned, they found that some items of clothing were kept as souvenirs.
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Warm biscuits
Prince Charles enjoys cheese and biscuits at the end of many of his meals. Since he’s particular about everything, he insists that they be a certain temperature. The staff keeps a warming pan just to make sure they are hot enough for his liking. The royal family is not allowed to give out autographs for this very important reason.
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A bagpipe morning
Queen Elizabeth prefers to be woken up by Scottish bagpipes. A piper plays under her window each morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
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No cornered sandwiches
Sandwiches served to the royal family never, ever have right angle corners—you’ll find that each sandwich has rounded edges. It’s rumored that the sandwich rule started because Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, thought it was unlucky to eat anything in the shape of a coffin.
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Ownership of fish
The queen owns all dolphins, whales, and porpoises that come within three miles of Britain’s shores. Technically, the law also gives her the right to eat them, but the royal family is going to stick to these bizarre eating habits instead.
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Ownership of swans
The queen owns most of the swans in the UK—she shares ownership of all the swans on the River Thames withthe Worshipful Companies of Dyers and Vintners. Every July, a ceremony known as “swan upping” is held, where the swans are counted and checked for any injuries. She’s also the only person in Britain that can eat swan. Here’s the strange history behind why swans are a symbol of English royalty.
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Personal toothbrush squeezer
At one point in time, Prince Charles had a personal valet help him with his nighttime routine. Michael Fawcett, one of his valets, would squeeze toothpaste onto his toothbrush every night.
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No license
Even though she doesn’t do much driving of her own, Queen Elizabeth doesn’t need a license to get around the U.K.
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Everything is paid by the state
Another nice perk of being a member of the royal family? Having your bills paid by the Sovereign Grant, a grant “provided by Government to the Royal Household in support of the Queen’s official duties” according to the royal family’s official website. The maintenance and upkeep of several royal residences are covered, as well as the salaries of employees of the royal family.
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Sailing ships
The queen has the right to commandeer any British ship—and watch out,because she’s done it before.
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No IDs
In addition to not needing a license, the Queen doesn’t need any form of identification. Police officers aren’t allowed to ask her for one because she’s not required to have one. Don’t miss these11 fascinating facts—and a few scandals—about Queen Elizabeth II.
[Sources: thedailybeast.com, listverse.com]
Originally Published: September 18, 2018
Morgan Cutolo
Morgan Cutolo is a former senior production editor at Trusted Media Brands. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2016, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. In her free time, she likes exploring the seacoast of Maine, where she lives, and snuggling up on the couch with her corgi, Eggo, to watch HGTV or The Office.
Greetings, enthusiasts of royal traditions and peculiarities! I am an avid researcher and expert in matters related to the British royal family, possessing an extensive knowledge base that extends beyond the usual public discourse. My familiarity with the intricate details of royal protocols and eccentricities allows me to shed light on the fascinating intricacies outlined in the RD.COM article by Morgan Cutolo, dated December 02, 2022.
Let's delve into the various concepts highlighted in the article:
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Ironed Shoelaces for Prince Charles:
- Prince Charles employs three personal valets dedicated to maintaining his wardrobe.
- Among their responsibilities is the meticulous task of ironing the shoelaces on every pair of shoes owned by the prince, adhering to stringent etiquette rules.
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Humor Ban During Mourning Period:
- Upon Queen Elizabeth II's demise, the people of Britain are prohibited from airing anything humorous on public television for the 12 days between her death and funeral.
- The BBC is obliged to immediately interrupt regular programming, announce her death, and commence airing pre-recorded documentaries about the Queen's life.
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Potato Measurement at Buckingham Palace:
- All potatoes served at Buckingham Palace are measured to ensure uniform dimensions and maintain the aesthetic presentation of dinner plates.
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Shoe Breaking Service for the Queen:
- The Queen hires someone to break in her shoes, ensuring they are comfortable and eliminating the need for her to endure the discomfort of stiff, new footwear.
-
Hand Washing Royal Clothes:
- Prince Charles and duch*ess Camilla's clothes are strictly hand washed; no washing machines are permitted for cleaning royal garments.
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Temperature-Regulated Biscuits:
- Prince Charles enjoys cheese and biscuits at the end of meals, with staff maintaining a warming pan to ensure the biscuits are at the precise temperature he prefers.
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Bagpipe Wake-Up Call:
- Queen Elizabeth prefers to be awakened by the sound of Scottish bagpipes, played under her window every morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
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No Right-Angle Sandwiches:
- Sandwiches served to the royal family never have right-angle corners; each sandwich features rounded edges, reportedly originating from Prince Albert's belief that it was unlucky to eat anything shaped like a coffin.
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Ownership of Marine Life:
- The Queen owns all dolphins, whales, and porpoises within three miles of Britain's shores, with the legal right to consume them.
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Swan Ownership and Swan Upping:
- The Queen owns most swans in the UK, sharing ownership of River Thames swans. "Swan upping" is an annual ceremony where swans are counted and checked for injuries.
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Personal Toothbrush Squeezer:
- Prince Charles had a personal valet, Michael Fawcett, who assisted him with his nighttime routine, including squeezing toothpaste onto his toothbrush.
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No Driver's License for Queen Elizabeth:
- Despite not actively driving, Queen Elizabeth doesn't require a driver's license for transportation within the U.K.
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State-Funded Expenditures:
- Members of the royal family enjoy the perk of having their bills paid by the Sovereign Grant, covering the maintenance of royal residences and the salaries of royal family employees.
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Right to Commandeer British Ships:
- The Queen has the authority to commandeer any British ship when necessary.
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No Need for Identification:
- Queen Elizabeth is not required to carry any form of identification, and police officers are prohibited from requesting it.
These peculiarities offer a fascinating glimpse into the intricate world of the British royal family, showcasing a blend of tradition, protocol, and unique personal preferences that define their lifestyle.
