Can You Guess Which Royal Code Is Being Broken in These Photos?
By: Jennifer Post
10 min
Image: Wiki Commons by Pete Souza
About This Quiz
Being a member of the royal family comes with a lot of privilege and recognition. It also comes with a ton of rules. Do you think there's a rule book that each member is given when they can read? Or a different version for those marrying into the royal family who are not royals themselves? Imagine having to learn an entirely new set of rules at the age of thirty. Sound fun?Â
Because there are so many rules, and not every rule applies to every member of the royal family, some rules are bound to be broken. Some are broken completely on accident due to habits formed earlier in life for those who are not royal by blood. Others are broken on purpose. Princess Diana was known for breaking royal rules by sending her children to public school, giving birth in a hospital, frequently wearing black and so on. While Kate Middleton and now Meghan Markle have broken a few rules themselves, it seems like the voracity with which they are enforced has lessened from earlier days.Â
That isn't to say the rules still aren't the rules, but the queen will give special permission to break certain rules if she deems it appropriate. Can you guess which royal code is being broken just by a photo? Take this quiz to find out!
TIME
There is a proper way to sit as a female member of the royal family. Kate Middleton has perfected it, but Meghan is still a work in progress. Which sitting rule did she break?
Royal women can't cross their legs.
If they're wearing a dress or skirt, they must stand at all times.
Women can't sit in the front row.
Royal women must sit directly to the left of their husbands.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Kate and William got stuck in traffic, causing them to arrive to an engagement after everyone else had already arrived. Which royal code did they break?
No one should walk in front of the queen.
The queen always arrives last.
The only ones who can walk beside the queen are her grandchildren.
The queen can never drive herself around.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Michelle Obama can basically do whatever she wants, include breaking which crucial royal rule?
Standing close to the queen is forbidden.
You can't touch the queen.
Everyone must walk or stand behind Her Majesty.
If the queen isn't smiling, neither should anyone else.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Every time Prince William enters a plane with Prince George, the queen winces. Why is that?
Heirs cannot fly together.
Kids fly with their nanny.
A husband and wife don't travel together.
Children must be carried off of planes.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
The queen herself broke this rule when she included Prince Phillip in the birth of her children. Which rule is it?
The palace must not post a birth announcement until after eight hours.
No one but the queen can know when someone is in labor.
Husbands are not allowed in the delivery room.
Husbands can only hold babies at night.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
In modern royal times, rule breaking seems to happen a lot, especially with Meghan Markle. For her first Trooping the Colour, which rule did her outfit break?
No tank tops
Sleeves must be full length.
No shoulder-bearing dresses
All clothes must be deemed "ladylike."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
People usually stick to wedding vows, but Princess Diana chose to leave this key phrase out. Which rule did she break in the process?
Brides must vow to obey their husbands.
Wedding vows cannot be altered.
The royal family has their own wedding vows.
The Church of England doesn't allow for personal vows.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
At Princess Eugenie's wedding, Prince George broke a well-established royal rule when he wore pants. Which rule?
Little girls can only wear dresses.
Children can't wear jeans.
Pants are forbidden for royal males.
Young male royals can only wear tailored shorts.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
While this rule is enforced more so for formal official engagements, which rules limits the length of dresses and skirts and has been broken by Kate Middleton, Princess Diana and Meghan Markle?
Collarbones should never be exposed.
Ankles must be hidden.
Royal women cannot show their knees.
Sleeves must be longer than the elbow.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Kate and William were famously caught exchanging a quick peck after a polo match. Which rule does that break?
Royals must remain professional during outings.
Standing too close together is not allowed.
Husbands and wives must shake hands in public.
Public displays of affection are inappropriate.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
The Salvation Army United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland
Princess Eugenie strikes again! Which royal no-no is she committing?
Thin eyebrows
Bold makeup
Not smiling
Eyebrows too dark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Meghan Markle was outspoken about certain women's movements like Me Too and Time's Up, but which royal code does that break?
Royals cannot vote.
Royals cannot run for office.
Royals must remain apolitical.
Family members must present the opinion of the palace.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Both Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie have both broken this rule by carrying larger handbags. Which is it?
Clothes must not have pockets.
Royal women always need to be carrying something.
No purse straps
Clutch bags are preferred over others.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Meghan Markel knew notoriety prior to marrying into the royal family, but which rules did she break when greeting fans?
No signing autographs
Don't shake hands with fans.
No talking to bystanders
Wave and walk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
The Salvation Army United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland
Princess Eugenie, since she's not a working royal, can wear what she wants. But which color is still frowned upon by the queen?
Black
Tan
Navy blue
White
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle broke one of the queen's favorite rules. Which one is it?
No dresses shorter than the knee
Stockings must be warn when any leg is showing.
All dresses must be approved by the queen.
Legs must be shaved at all times.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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!
While a typical stone for an engagement ring is a diamond, for the royal family, which is more traditional and seen on many royals except for the Duchess of Sussex?
All wedding jewelry must be borrowed from the queen.
Two heirs can't have the same anniversary.
Engagement rings should be gemstones, not diamonds.
The queen must approve engagement rings.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Princess Eugenie can get away with a lot, but when it comes to a royal wedding, she was expected to follow the traditions. By only wearing a tiara, which royal rule did she break?
Wedding dresses must be approved by the queen.
Brides must wear elaborate veils.
Wedding dresses must be modest.
White is the only color option for brides.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Meghan Markle's life as a royal so far has not been lacking in drama from her family. Which rule did Mr. Markle break?
The bride must walk down the aisle alone.
A father must walk his daughter down the aisle.
Both mother and father walk the bride down the aisle.
Bride may choose who walks her down the aisle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Wanting to speak her mind and most likely thank her guests, Meghan Markel broke which royal rule on her wedding day?
The bride and groom don't kiss in public.
Brides don't sit with family.
Royal brides do not speak at their wedding receptions.
Brides cannot wear their wedding dress to the receptions.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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!
It's tradition that wedding cakes be the classic British favorite, but new The Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted for a different flavor for their reception. Which tradition does that go against?
Fresh flowers are a required wedding cake decoration.
Only buttercream frosting can be used.
Wedding cake must be at least three tiers.
Royals must serve fruitcake at their wedding reception.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Prince Harry broke this rule at a sporting even by looking right into the camera for this popular style of photo. Which rule was broken as a result?
Pictures must be arranged ahead of time.
Royals cannot take selfies.
Fans can't take photos of royals.
Royals can only pose for formal photos.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
There's a lot of rules when it comes to royal weddings, but which one went by the wayside well before Prince Harry married Meghan?
Royals cannot get divorced.
Commoners have to pass tests in order to marry into the royal family.
Royals must marry those with a title.
A royal cannot marry a divorcee.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
While tiaras are for brides and evening formal engagements, hats are worn during the day. What rule did Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie break at Kate and William's wedding?
All hats must be subtle and practical.
Unmarried women can't wear fascinators.
Tiaras are only for evening events.
Hats cannot be bigger than your head.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Royal weddings are a big deal, but Meghan and Harry were the first ones to break which wedding rule by having their wedding on May 19, 2018?
Cakes can only be certain flavors.
Weddings can only take place in the spring.
The queen chooses all wedding dates.
Royal weddings must take place during the week.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Many female royals have broken this rule, but it's still one of the queen's sticking points. Which is it?
No flats or sneakers
High heels must be warn at all times.
No wedge shoes
Stockings are a must.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Royals are expected to be professional at every engagement, and draping an item of clothing over your body is considered contrary to the rule. Which one is it?
Arms at your side at all times
Wearing a coat shorter than the knee
Being too casual
Royals must not remove coats in public.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
While royals can have family social media accounts, where does the queen draw the line?
Pictures can't be taken inside the palace.
No personal social media accounts
Royal ladies can't take selfies.
Most areas of the palace are not for the public.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Shopping off the rack isn't really a thing, and neither is buying jewelry out of a catalog, unless you're Princess Diana. Which rule did she break?
Engagement rings are custom made.
All jewelry must be approved by the palace.
Wedding rings can't be bought in public.
Rings can't be less than two carats.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Speaking candidly about her and Prince Harry's relationship to the media before they were engaged broke which royal rule?
Those just dating can't attend events together.
No public contact before engagement.
Royals can't talk to major media outlets.
Royals must maintain their privacy.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Wearing a color-splattered black designer dress, as Princess Eugenie did on the holy holiday, broke which rule?
Easter outfits should be solid and subdued in color.
Pastels must be worn in the spring.
Official engagements have strict dress codes.
Royal family outfits must coordinate.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Many royals break this one rule by hugging fans. Which one is it?
Kids shouldn't be acknowledged by royals.
Royals can never touch commoners.
Greet with handshakes only
Kids should curtsey or bow to royals.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Prince Charles broke which royal rule while sampling some local eats during an outing?
No finger foods
Not eating in public
No shellfish
Always use a napkin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
There's a pattern with who breaks royal rules! Princess Diana broke which one when she became a mother for the first time?
Only palace doctors and nurse are allowed to deliver members of the royal family.
Only approved hospitals may be used for child birth.
Birth is given at home.
The mother must carry the child out of the hospital for the first time.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Princess Diana and now Duchess Catherine both broke which royal education protocol by not keeping it within the palace?
Palace-approved education only
No school before the age of six
Private school for young princes and princesses
Homeschooling only
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
When a royal gets hungry in the palace, there are certain protocols in place for acquiring food. Princess Diana consistently broke which rule by venturing down to the kitchen?
Royals should never eat with the staff.
Kitchens are no place for a princess.
All eating must be arranged ahead of time.
All meals must be eaten in the formal dining room.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Everyone was stunned when the queen broke a rule by changing up the Christmas-celebration guest list. Which rule did she break?
Christmas isn't celebrated on the actual day.
Fiancees cannot participate in official engagements.
Sandringham is only for the queen.
Christmas is only for husbands and wives.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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!
The People's Princess was notorious for breaking royal protocol, and that was no different when which royal accessory was missing from her public appearances?
A tiara
Hats
Her wedding ring
High heels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
This rule has been broken many times, but most recently by Meghan and Harry, but the law was actually changed in 2015. What was the rule prior to that?
Royal family members can't marry Catholics.
If invited to a royal wedding, there is a dress code.
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.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
While wearing a hair net over buns isn't required, which rule did Duchess Meghan break when she left her hair in the popular style of a messy bun?
Hair must never look unkempt.
Royals must look picture perfect at all times.
Hairnets must be worn with updos.
Women must use hairspray.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.