Ever wonder why Prince George is always in shorts?
When you really sit back and think about it, the whole royalty thing is a bit barmy. But as outdated an entity as it may be, people the world over enjoy the tradition a ceremony of it all, us included.
The world has moved on, of course, but the etiquette and rules of royalty remain. (Tan tights, anyone?) But what about the children and babies of the royal family? We’ve dug up five strict rules that still apply to this day, to the offspring of the Mountbatten-Windsors.
The queen must be the first person to be informed of a ‘royal birth’
In an ITV documentary called Secrets of the Royal Babies: Harry and Meghan, royal historian Kate Williams said: “What happens is that there is an encrypted phone that cannot be tapped and Prince Harry will tell her (the Queen) first whether it’s a girl or boy.”
Godparents must not be immediate family
Royal expert Victoria Arbiter told Hello! Magazine: “A godparent is there to provide religious guidance. It’s also somebody who is there other than a parent or family member that a child could turn to. The royal children’s godparents are cousins and close family friends.
Royal children must bow to the queen
I just can’t imagine curtsying to my granny, but here we are. Marlene Eilers Koenig told Hello! Magazine that royal children start this tradition from around the age of five saying, “the only person they will curtsy or bow to is the sovereign.”
Boys must wear shorts
If you’ve ever wondered why you always see Prince George in shorts, etiquette expert William Hanson told Harper’s Bazaar: “Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on young boys is one of those silent class markers that we have in England. Although times are changing, a pair of trousers on a young boy is considered quite middle class – quite suburban. And no self-respecting aristo or royal would want to be considered suburban. Even the Duchess of Cambridge.” Ok, then…
Christmas presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve
Former royal chef Darren McGrady told the Daily Express: “The royals are of German descent so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations. After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve, as is the German tradition.”
I’d say the presents are fairly decent too.
