19+ Rules In The Royal Family Dress Code That You Never Knew Existed

By now it's clear that the royal family are certified fashion icons.

But before you go plotting how you're going to get an invitation to an upcoming royal event, know that the title comes with an expectation that you'll dress to the nines...within limit.

Tiaras certainly can't be worn by just anyone. Sorry! In fact, the entire family follows a strict textbook of rules.

1. Little boys can only wear shorts.

YouTube | The Royal Family Channel

Tiny Prince George can literally ONLY wear shorts, even if it's cold outside. As per tradition, pants are considered to be too manly — little boys can make the leap to pants around eight or nine.

Plus, the style of long pants on boys is considered to be very "suburban."

YouTube | The Royal Family Channel

Apparently, there's a long-standing, unspoken prejudice in England that only middle-class boys wear trousers.

Basically, pants are for normies.

2. Purses serve a greater purpose if you're the Queen.

YouTube | The Royal Family News

In case you didn't know, the Queen has a secret language with her purse.

She can command a room by just using one accessory.

Instagram l @theroyalfamily

For example, putting it on the table means she would like to leave for dinner in the next five minutes — she's hungry AF.

3. Panty hose or no legs at all, because by now, we know that modesty is essential.

YouTube | The Royal Family Channel

With the ease at which panty hose rip, I don't even want to know how many pairs the Duchess of Cambridge goes through in a year.

Apparently, the demand for pantyhose surged after Kate Middleton got engaged in 2010.  

YouTube | ODN

It was called the "Kate Effect," and people went wild for sheer, nude pantyhose, simply because the Duchess of Cambridge wore them.

4. Royals can forget about putting their assets on display.

YouTube | HELLO! Canada Magazine

If bare legs aren't allowed, you can guess that cleavage certainly isn't. The girls have the misfortune of living in a fabric prison, but it's a small price when you live in the palace.

5. Nail polish is strictly forbidden.

YouTube | Inside Edition

The royals like their fingers au naturel, at all times.

Forget about picking fun, vibrant summer colors.

Instagram l @theroyalfamily

The Queen has literally been wearing the same nude pink since 1989. Can you believe it?

6. The queen must wear bright colors, and it's not to make up for the lack of nail polish.

YouTube | Us Weekly

The plethora of neon colors isn't due to the queen's bubbly personality, but is for the purpose of being seen in large crowds.

7. The royals must always have a black outfit handy.

YouTube | Virality TV

When you're traveling abroad, you must always have a black outfit on hand in case of an unexpected death. Showing up in a flamboyant outfit would so not be cool.

8. Even if a royal is sweating to death, their coat must stay on when they're in public.

Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons

For women, coats are essentially a royal straight jacket: They're seen as unladylike to take off.

9. Hats aren't a personal choice if you're the queen. Consider them an appendage from her head. 

YouTube | HM The King

Queen Elizabeth II seems to sprout beautiful hats from her noggin. Once again, it's due to an old tradition that keeps women from showing their hair to the world.

10. But, you can take your hat off after 6 p.m. for a very good reason.

YouTube | The Morning Show

The hat rule does not apply in the evenings because that's a queen or princess's time to shine and wear a tiara. Duh!

11. If one of the royals is carrying a bouquet of flowers, it must contain myrtle (whatever that is).

Pixabay | Pixabay

Apparently, this flower signifies love and marriage, so you'll definitely see it in Meghan Markle's wedding bouquet.

12. Clutches have another use as royal shields.

Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons

Princess Diana would often use her clutch to keep her modesty and you can see the royals holding them with both hands to deter awkward situations. "Eww, don't touch me stranger!"

13. There is a thing among the royals called "glove etiquette." 

YouTube | HM The King

Gloves can be worn on route to an event, while shaking hands, standing in a receiving line, or dancing...but NEVER at dinner.

But, you can't just whip off your royal gloves all willy-nilly.

YouTube | Jsjsjjsjsj

Instead, royals are expected to pluck them off finger by finger, and then place them on their lap beneath their dinner napkin.

And, make sure you wear them when you're gardening!

Instagram l @theroyalfamily

The Royals are constantly doing charitable work, which sometimes requires their hands.

14. Outfits aren't chosen at random but can actually mean something.

YouTube | GetWhatKateWore

A lot of times, the royals will wear certain colors or accents to celebrate the country they're in. Thankfully, it's a maple leaf and not a beaver pictured during a visit to Canada.

15. You'll rarely see a royal wearing jeans.

YouTube | Tony's - 24/7 Eyes

While some royals bend the rules (*ahem* Kate Middleton *ahem*), in general, royals shy away from wearing jeans because many of the places they visit require more professional attire.

I mean, could you imagine the queen in a pair of Levi's?!?

Absolutely not.

16. Facial hair must be well-kept.

YouTube | The Royal Family Channel

Royals are expected to look prim and proper, and that includes everything down to their beards.

Few royals currently sport facial hair, aside from regal bad boy, Prince Harry. But as you might have noticed, his beard is always neatly trimmed.

17. Miniskirts are no bueno.

YouTube | Meghan Markle & Prince Harry News

Apparently, the Queen prefers knee-length skirts (at minimum) and dresses which, as you've likely guessed, are considered more appropriate for female royalty.

On the bright side, this cuts down on women's shaving!

Instagram l @theroyalfamily

Only having to shave up to your knee? Brilliant.

18. Never, ever, under any circumstances wear wedges around the Queen.

Flickr | Karen

Word on the street is that the Queen HATES wedges.

Even if they go with your summer dress, it's a serious no-go.

Instagram l @theroyalfamily

Don't bring cork anywhere near her if it's on your feet, because she simply "doesn't care for it." Savage.

19. They prefer British designers whenever possible.

The royal family tries to choose British fashion designers, especially up-and-coming designers. By wearing their clothes, the royal family can give these designers a huge boost to their careers.

20. Hats cannot cover your face.

Even though it is considered proper for royal family to wear hats, they must never obscure their face from the crowd. The people want to see them!

21. Lastly, not just anyone can wear a tiara (sorry, Meghan, you've gotta earn your crown).

YouTube | The Royal Family

You can't just reach sparkly unicorn status overnight! Tiaras are reserved for first-time brides and married royals.

So even if baby Charlotte wants to dress up with a tiara, the queen won't allow it.

Instagram l @theroyalfamily

Sorry, little one.

And even after Meghan and Harry got married, Meghan is only allowed to wear the crown at certain times.

YouTube | The Morning Show

Flashy tiaras are only to be worn at special events, and typically in the evening.

But you will get to wear one, Meghan, which is a lot more than most of us can say.

Who knew the royal family had such a strict dress code?!

Well, apparently that's the trade-off if you want to become English royalty.LET US KNOW which rule you think is the worst in the COMMENTS!