Bizarre British royal behaviours dictated by protocol: Meghan Markle had to keep her chin parallel to the ground at her wedding and Prince George wasn’t allowed to wear trousers until he turned 8

Aug 4 , 2021

Firm handshakes, chin positioning and shorts vs trousers – life isn’t always the easiest when you’re a British royal. Photos: AP; AFP; @theroyalfamily/Instagram

Queen Elizabeth has to keep eye contact when shaking hands, but if she stands, so must everyone else; and you won’t guess what her secret handbag signals mean

If you think Prince George can wear whatever he pleases you’d be wrong; in public he always had to wear shorts – at least he did until he turned eight this year

Royal protocol is one of the things that truly distinguishes the British royal family from other celebrities – no matter whether you’re Queen Elizabeth or a young Prince George, there will always be strict rules and restrictions that govern your every move – especially in public. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Travel bubbles

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children George, Louis and Charlotte – and for once the boys are wearing trousers. Photo: @dukeandduchessofcambridge/Instagram

There is a long-standing protocol that two heirs to the British throne cannot travel together. This is to preserve the line of succession in case of an accident. The rule dates back to when air travel was not as safe as it is today. The queen has relaxed the rule since Prince William has had children, which is why the Cambridges have travelled together on several royal tours, such as to Canada in 2016, and Germany and Poland in 2017. However, it was recently reported that will all change when Prince George, William’s oldest son and third in line to the throne, turns 12, and his father will not be able to travel with him again.

Keep steady eye contact

Queen Elizabeth shakes hands with the Spice Girls in 1997 after their appearance at the Royal Variety performance: note the eye contact. Photo: AP

When shaking hands with the general public, royals are expected to maintain strong eye contact. “A royal handshake should consist of two-to-three pumps, with your palms open and thumbs down,” according to former British butler and etiquette expert Grant Harrold. The handshakes must not appear to give preferential treatment to one person over another.

Chin up!

Prince Harry guides his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, down the steps of St George’s Chapel – probably just as well given the fact that she can’t look down! Photo: AFP