1. Royal women can't cross their legs.
   If they're wearing a dress or skirt, they must stand at all times.
2. Women can't sit in the front row.
   Royal women must sit directly to the left of their husbands.

The "Duchess pose" as perfected by Kate Middleton is the preferred sitting style where royal women sit at a slant with their ankles crossed. However, Meghan Markle can be seen on many occasions crossing her legs while sitting.

1. No one should walk in front of the queen.
   The queen always arrives last.
2. The only ones who can walk beside the queen are her grandchildren.
   The queen can never drive herself around.

On this particular occasion, traffic caused Kate and William to arrive at an event after the queen. Of course, that was out of their control, but in ordinary cases it is highly inappropriate to arrive anywhere after the queen.

1. Standing close to the queen is forbidden.
   You can't touch the queen.
2. Everyone must walk or stand behind Her Majesty.
   If the queen isn't smiling, neither should anyone else.

Michelle Obama might have been starstruck by the queen, but the feeling was mutual. The queen and the former first lady embraced in a hug when they met, which goes against one of the most enforced royal rules.

1. Heirs cannot fly together.
   Kids fly with their nanny.
2. A husband and wife don't travel together.
   Children must be carried off of planes.

This is a morbid rule, but heirs cannot travel together in the event that the aircraft is attacked. Prince William and Prince George are never supposed to be on the same plane since George is the next in line for the throne after his father.

1. The palace must not post a birth announcement until after eight hours.
   No one but the queen can know when someone is in labor.
2. Husbands are not allowed in the delivery room.
   Husbands can only hold babies at night.

Prior to Elizabeth II giving birth, it was not protocol for the husband to be present in the delivery room in order to maintain some sense of mystery. But the queen went against that rule and had Prince Phillip present.

1. No tank tops
   Sleeves must be full length.
2. No shoulder-bearing dresses
   All clothes must be deemed "ladylike."

Kate Middleton actually broke this rule way before Meghan did, but since she was new to the royal family, she was singled out. Her pale pink dress features an off-the-shoulder look that was stunning, even though it was technically not allowed.

1. Brides must vow to obey their husbands.
   Wedding vows cannot be altered.
2. The royal family has their own wedding vows.
   The Church of England doesn't allow for personal vows.

People were shocked when the queen included that part in her wedding vows, since she shouldn't have to obey anyone. Princess Diana chose to leave them out even when it was highly expected of her to say the word "obey" in her vows.

1. Little girls can only wear dresses.
   Children can't wear jeans.
2. Pants are forbidden for royal males.
   Young male royals can only wear tailored shorts.

If you've noticed that Prince George, and now Prince Louis, only wear shorts, it's because that is royal protocol. However, Prince George wore pants to Princess Eugenie's wedding, breaking that rule.

1. Collarbones should never be exposed.
   Ankles must be hidden.
2. Royal women cannot show their knees.
   Sleeves must be longer than the elbow.

The queen despises mini skirts and short dresses. However, some royals have gotten away with showing their knees during official outings. It's assumed they go the queen's permission, or maybe the rule is loosened up for daytime activities.

1. Royals must remain professional during outings.
   Standing too close together is not allowed.
2. Husbands and wives must shake hands in public.
   Public displays of affection are inappropriate.

While this rule has been loosened up and both William and Harry have been seen holding hands with their betrothed, kissing is another story. However, Kate Middleton gave William a public kiss to celebrate his win.

1. Thin eyebrows
   Bold makeup
2. Not smiling
   Eyebrows too dark

According to royal-family etiquette, makeup should be natural looking, and that means no bold eyeshadow or overly dark eyeliner and mascara. Royal women shouldn't draw unnecessary attention to themselves, hence the makeup rule.

1. Royals cannot vote.
   Royals cannot run for office.
2. Royals must remain apolitical.
   Family members must present the opinion of the palace.

Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markel was an American actress who publicly spoke about many injustices. Since she has become a royal, though, she should no longer be taking any side on any political issues.

1. Clothes must not have pockets.
   Royal women always need to be carrying something.
2. No purse straps
   Clutch bags are preferred over others.

There is a purpose to almost all royal rules. Holding a clutch means that a royal doesn't have to shake someone's hand if they don't want to. Princess Diana also famously used her clutch to hide her cleavage when getting out of a car.

1. No signing autographs
   Don't shake hands with fans.
2. No talking to bystanders
   Wave and walk

Royal family members are not permitted to sign autographs, even though a few of them have. Since Meghan Markle was a well-known actress prior to marrying Prince Harry, it was probably hard for her to break the autograph habit.

1. Black
   Tan
2. Navy blue
   White

The queen does not like the women in the royal family to wear black unless it's for a mourning event. Other than that, neutrals and subdued colors are the go-to. The queen, however, likes to wear bright colors so she can be spotted in a crowd if needed.

1. No dresses shorter than the knee
   Stockings must be warn when any leg is showing.
2. All dresses must be approved by the queen.
   Legs must be shaved at all times.

Any time a royal woman wears a dress where her legs are exposed, nude colors stockings must be worn. Princess Eugenie has broken this rule as well. We sense a pattern here!

1. All wedding jewelry must be borrowed from the queen.
   Two heirs can't have the same anniversary.
2. Engagement rings should be gemstones, not diamonds.
   The queen must approve engagement rings.

For some reason, it's very nontraditional for royal engagement rings to be primarily made with diamonds. Of course, Princess Diana's sapphire rings is surrounded by diamonds, but the main stone is usually a gemstone like sapphire or ruby.

1. Wedding dresses must be approved by the queen.
   Brides must wear elaborate veils.
2. Wedding dresses must be modest.
   White is the only color option for brides.

Princess Eugenie wore a wedding dress with a V-cut in the back to show off her scar from spinal surgery, which she wears proudly. That is why she didn't follow the tradition of wearing an elaborate veil. It would have hidden her scar.

1. The bride must walk down the aisle alone.
   A father must walk his daughter down the aisle.
2. Both mother and father walk the bride down the aisle.
   Bride may choose who walks her down the aisle

Meghan Markle's father was tabloid happy prior to the royal wedding. Because of that, he decided he was unavailable for the wedding, therefore not being able to walk Meghan down the aisle. Good thing Prince Charles was there to take over, breaking another royal rule.

1. The bride and groom don't kiss in public.
   Brides don't sit with family.
2. Royal brides do not speak at their wedding receptions.
   Brides cannot wear their wedding dress to the receptions.

It's not protocol for brides to speak on their wedding day, but Meghan Markle didn't let that stop her. She have a speech at her wedding reception. There's no evidence that any other royal bride has done this, so it might have been a first!

1. Fresh flowers are a required wedding cake decoration.
   Only buttercream frosting can be used.
2. Wedding cake must be at least three tiers.
   Royals must serve fruitcake at their wedding reception.

It's very traditional for a bride and groom to serve fruitcake at their wedding. This tradition goes back to the Middle Ages, and furitcake has been served at royal weddings for centuries. It doesn't spoil easily, so it could sit out for a while and be completely edible.

1. Pictures must be arranged ahead of time.
   Royals cannot take selfies.
2. Fans can't take photos of royals.
   Royals can only pose for formal photos.

Prince Harry isn't the only royal to break this rule, as many are seen letting fans take pictures with the family members. However, it's highly frowned upon to pose for or take selfies as a royal.

1. Royals cannot get divorced.
   Commoners have to pass tests in order to marry into the royal family.
2. Royals must marry those with a title.
   A royal cannot marry a divorcee.

It's long been a rule that royals can't marry those who have been divorced. It's so much of a rule that King Edward abdicated the throne so he could marry Wallis Simpson, a divorced socialite.

1. All hats must be subtle and practical.
   Unmarried women can't wear fascinators.
2. Tiaras are only for evening events.
   Hats cannot be bigger than your head.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie came under fire for their hat choices for William and Kate's wedding because they stole attention from the couple being married. That's a hard and fast rule for hat wearing.

1. Cakes can only be certain flavors.
   Weddings can only take place in the spring.
2. The queen chooses all wedding dates.
   Royal weddings must take place during the week.

Typically, royal weddings are held during the week. However, Meghan and Harry broke that and went with Saturday, May 19, 2018 for their special day. It's assumed in these situations that the queen has given her permission.

1. No flats or sneakers
   High heels must be warn at all times.
2. No wedge shoes
   Stockings are a must.

The queen simply hates the look of wedge shoes. They are too casual, and she much prefers heels to wedges. However, both Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie have both worn wedges on multiple occasions.

1. Arms at your side at all times
   Wearing a coat shorter than the knee
2. Being too casual
   Royals must not remove coats in public.

Coats are often worn during official outings when the weather cools off. But even if it starts to warm up, royal family members must wait until they are out of the public eye to take their coast off. Not only did Princess Eugenie do so in this photo, but she then draped her coat over her arm.

1. Pictures can't be taken inside the palace.
   No personal social media accounts
2. Royal ladies can't take selfies.
   Most areas of the palace are not for the public.

This rule was brought to the spotlight when Princess Eugenie shared a photo on her personal Instagram account that featured a hallway in the palace that is never meant to be seen by the public.

1. Engagement rings are custom made.
   All jewelry must be approved by the palace.
2. Wedding rings can't be bought in public.
   Rings can't be less than two carats.

Royal engagement rings are traditionally custom made by a palace-approved jeweler. However, Princess Diana chose her diamond and sapphire ring out of a catalog. It has since become one of the most famous pieces of royal jewelry.

1. Those just dating can't attend events together.
   No public contact before engagement.
2. Royals can't talk to major media outlets.
   Royals must maintain their privacy.

It's important that members of the royal family maintain decorum and don't overshare things about their personal life. Privacy is very important to the palace, and not just anyone is given access to its members.

1. Easter outfits should be solid and subdued in color.
   Pastels must be worn in the spring.
2. Official engagements have strict dress codes.
   Royal family outfits must coordinate.

Princess Eugenie comes up a lot in terms of breaking royal rules, mostly because she isn't a working royal. But when there are official royal engagements, she is still expected to follow the rules. Like the Easter dress code of a solid-color, subdued outfit.

1. Kids shouldn't be acknowledged by royals.
   Royals can never touch commoners.
2. Greet with handshakes only
   Kids should curtsey or bow to royals.

The normal rule is that royals only greet people with a handshake, but in many instances that rule is broken. Prince William hugged a crying woman, and Prince Harry hugs fans and so does Prince Charles.

1. No finger foods
   Not eating in public
2. No shellfish
   Always use a napkin

The queen is allergic to shellfish, so naturally that means that no royals can eat shellfish. It's not served at any dinners the queen will be attending, and other members of the family are discouraged from eating it.

1. Only palace doctors and nurse are allowed to deliver members of the royal family.
   Only approved hospitals may be used for child birth.
2. Birth is given at home.
   The mother must carry the child out of the hospital for the first time.

It's said that the best care is given within the palace, but Princess Diana chose to give birth in a hospital. While few before her did the same, she was the pioneer behind the hospital that Kate Middleton ended up giving birth in.

1. Palace-approved education only
   No school before the age of six
2. Private school for young princes and princesses
   Homeschooling only

Prior to Princess Diana enrolling both her boys in nursery and then public school, royal children were educated within the palace. Now, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William are also sending their children to public school.

1. Royals should never eat with the staff.
   Kitchens are no place for a princess.
2. All eating must be arranged ahead of time.
   All meals must be eaten in the formal dining room.

Princess Diana would often find herself in the palace kitchen eating with the palace staff. This, of course, is a no-no. That whole upstairs/downstairs thing didn't just exist on "Downton Abbey." It's a common royal rule.

1. Christmas isn't celebrated on the actual day.
   Fiancees cannot participate in official engagements.
2. Sandringham is only for the queen.
   Christmas is only for husbands and wives.

Traditionally, only married members of the royal family can join the queen at Sandringham for Christmas. However, in 2017, Meghan Markle scored an invite even though her and Prince Harry were not yet married. Kate Middleton didn't even get that privilege!

1. A tiara
   Hats
2. Her wedding ring
   High heels

Princess Diana famously said she stopped wearing hats during engagements because it's impossible to cuddle a child in a hat. This further established her standing as a hands-on mother and royal rebel.

1. Royal family members can't marry Catholics.
   If invited to a royal wedding, there is a dress code.
2. If you aren't related to anyone in the royal family, you must decline the wedding invite.
   All members of the royal family must be members of the Church of England.

Before 2015, someone who was Catholic would not have been permitted to marry into the royal family. They could convert to The Church of England, though. The law was changed in 2015 to allow for interfaith marriages.

1. Hair must never look unkempt.
   Royals must look picture perfect at all times.
2. Hairnets must be worn with updos.
   Women must use hairspray.

You'll see Kate Middleton donning her signature updos with a hairnet to keep the flyaways at bay and to make sure her hair always looks flawless in photos. Meghan didn't follow that rule as strictly as Kate when she wore her hair in a low, messy bun for an engagement.