Queen Camilla has become a beloved member of the royal family. When she first started dating, and later married, Prince Charles, many people were still upset due to her past as Charles’s mistress during his marriage to Princess Diana. However, times have changed, and she’s now embraced by many.
Formerly known as Parker Bowles, Camilla has taken on a huge amount of responsibility, especially when her husband underwent cancer treatment. Her popularity continues to rise, and we hope to see her perform royal duties alongside Kate Middleton when she recovers from her own health battles.
Despite their strong relationship, certain things changed once Camilla became queen. Kate Middleton, for example, now has to get Camilla’s approval on her outfits for official engagements.
The royal family has numerous rules and traditions, from dining etiquette to public greetings.
Royal Rules and Etiquette
Some rules within the royal family are rigid and unbreakable, while others serve more as guidelines for behavior.
These protocols can be very different from what most of us experience in our daily lives.
For instance, greeting a Royal Family member comes with its own set of customs. According to Buckingham Palace’s website, there are “no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting [The King] or a member of the Royal Family.” Nonetheless, many prefer following traditional forms.
Men are recommended to bow their heads slightly, while women are advised to perform a small curtsy. Handshakes are also perfectly acceptable.
There are dining rules, too. When dining with the king, guests must follow his lead. Charles decides when people start and stop eating.
When dining with His Majesty, neither Kate, William, nor any other royal should start eating before King Charles. Similarly, they should stop eating when Charles places his knife and fork in the finished position—6.30, with the fork’s tines facing upwards—whether or not they’ve finished their food.
Starting before or finishing much later than the king would be noticed by others,” etiquette expert William Hanson said.
Shellfish Ban for Royals
Another formal dining rule is that scraping a near-empty plate is frowned upon.
“It isn’t a breach of protocol if it happens once or twice by accident, but continually making noise with cutlery is considered unfortunate,” Hanson added.
While royal dining might conjure images of lavish buffets with delicious treats, there are certain foods the royals can’t eat. Shellfish, such as shrimp, oysters, and lobster, are off the menu to avoid food poisoning or allergic reactions, especially when dining out or abroad.
Former Buckingham Palace chef Darren McGrady also revealed to the Telegraph that carbs like potatoes, rice, and pasta are rarely served.
While some rules might seem excessive, they’re essential for maintaining royal protocol. However, royals do break these rules occasionally.
Among the many royal rules, some have been particularly challenging. For example, Meghan Markle reportedly disliked one specific rule.
The Rule Meghan Markle Hated
In his book Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family, author Tom Quinn highlighted how Meghan struggled with being controlled by royal protocol, especially regarding leaving the house.
According to a former staff member, Meghan “hated being controlled by royal protocol,” one of which was the need to report where she was going before leaving her residence.
“This is partly for security but also to prevent a senior royal from being upstaged by a more junior one,” the source told Quinn.
Royal rules for etiquette and behavior aren’t just for adults; they also apply to young family members, particularly when it comes to toys.
King Charles and Grandchildren’s Toys
On public engagements, royals often receive many gifts. However, these gifts—whether they’re for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, or Prince Louis—don’t belong to the children or their parents, William and Kate. According to a seven-page handbook, any gifts given during royal engagements automatically belong to King Charles.
“Gifts are defined as official when received during an official engagement and are not the private property of the member of the Royal Family who receives them,” the rulebook states.
“Instead, they are received in an official capacity on behalf of the King.”
Despite officially owning these gifts, King Charles ensures his grandchildren receive thoughtful presents. However, they must pass a strict security and registration process before being handed over.
For gifts valued under £150, royal family members can hand them to an aide or donate them to charity.
Royal attire is also subject to guidelines. While male royals wear elegant suits, females have a slightly different protocol.
Over the years, we’ve seen Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Meghan Markle, Queen Camilla, and Kate Middleton in stunning outfits, often accessorized with extraordinary hats. Their wardrobes – and the royal jewelry collection – are indeed lavish, but there are still rules.
One rule changed recently, giving Queen Camilla the final say on outfits.
Camilla’s Say on Royal Wardrobe Choices
An insider revealed to Express that Camilla, with the help of her dresser, Jacqui Meakin, now gets the first pick of outfits, notably impacting what Princess Kate and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, can wear. Blue is a favorite color for Camilla, Kate, and Sophie, but the queen now has a say over these choices.
Initially, this strict color protocol “ruffled a few feathers,” but it’s now more relaxed as long as shades differ significantly.
“The Queen can choose her outfits before all other royal women—it’s part of the royal pecking order, including clothing and color,” the insider said.
Despite initial rigidity, everyone eventually saw the funny side.
Camilla’s ‘Marilyn Monroe’ Moments
Dressing perfectly doesn’t always guard against mishaps. Last year, Camilla had a “Marilyn Monroe moment” when a gust of wind nearly lifted her dress, but it stayed down. This wasn’t her first time experiencing such an incident; another happened during Princess Charlotte’s christening in Norfolk.
Others have had similar moments, such as Kate Middleton in 2012 at Brisbane airport and again in 2016 while laying a wreath in New Delhi. Queen Elizabeth II ingeniously solved the problem with curtain weights sewn into her skirts, a trick Camilla and Kate might consider.
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