If you went by Disney standards, being a royal would equate to living a lavish lifestyle in a luxurious castle, wherein you’re waited upon by adorable animals while also making (and breaking) your own rules. Alas, living the royal life isn’t quite as whimsical as we initially thought. Yes, they’re still wealthy and famous and have many opportunities us commoners don’t — but they also happen to have a plethora of bizarre (and outdated) rules they have to abide by lest Her Majesty cast them a withering look. Even the kids — Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5, Prince Louis, 2, and one-year-old Archie – don’t get off easy. These quirky traditions are the same set of rules princes William and Harry rigidly followed as youths, along with their ancestors before them. From clothing and etiquette to food cutoffs and travel restrictions, we break down the strangest rules of the bunch.
![Boys can only wear shorts Prince George holds his father, Prince William's, hand as they disembark from a private plane](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Boys can only wear shorts
![They must attend all major royal engagements the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge laugh on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping of the Colour 2019 with kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
They must attend all major royal engagements
![They’re required to undergo etiquette training Prince George and Princess Charlotte, dressed for school, hold dad Prince William's hand as they walk to class](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
They’re required to undergo etiquette training
![They can’t wear black during the day Princess Diana with her two young sons, princes William and Harry, in the 80s](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
They can’t wear black during the day
![Girls have to wear dresses Princess Charlotte wears a pastel pink and white dress while kicking a soccer ball around outside](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Girls have to wear dresses
![The heirs have to travel separately Prince George, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte on the tarmac upon arrival during a Royal Tour](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
The heirs have to travel separately
![They have a rule against gifts from the public Princess Charlotte sniffs a tiny floral bouquet](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
They have a rule against gifts from the public
![Babies can’t eat… baby food the Duchess of Cambridge shares a laugh with family while she carries son Prince Louis at his christening](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Babies can’t eat… baby food
![They are issued passports at birth Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry debut son Archie to the press](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
They are issued passports at birth
![Male members must serve in the military Close-up of Prince William dressed in his Air Force uniform](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)