IF you want to be part of the Royal Family, there’s a strict code you must follow.
But I’m A Celeb contestant Mike Tindall revealed he takes a relaxed approach to royal get togethers.
Mike Tindall confessed he likes to keep thing casual in the Royal Family
There is a strict set of dress and behaviour rules all royals must obey
Hollyoaks star Owen Warner gave Mike a grilling about etiquette, asking about staying at royal residences.
He quizzed: “In the morning could you go down in your joggers and T-shirt, or did you have to get dressed up again?”
The former rugby pro replied he wears “jeans and a tee” when he goes to breakfast at Buckingham Palace.
Earlier in the series he revealed his trousers split after he “s**t-dropped” in front of Princess Anne, his mother-in-law.
Mike married King Charles’ niece Zara in 2011 after meeting at a rugby match in Australia.
So with ten years’ experience in the Royal Family, he knows the rules more than most including etiquette at formal dinners.
From the “Duchess slant” to a strict board game ban, here are the Palace Rules which might surprise you
Trouser rule
Prince George was expected to wear shorts until he turned eight
Shorts are the go-to legwear for royals… until their eighth birthday.
Prince George, nine, now can wear trousers at formal events – although he has done in the past as the heir to the throne.
Prince Louis, four, on the other hand is expected to wear shorts at public outings.
Technically female royals aren’t allowed to wear trousers at functions, however, this is a rule which is allowed to let slide.
Nickname ban
In public, the Princess Kate is always called Catherine
Although we know the Princess of Wales affectionately as “Kate”, nicknames are outlawed.
Senior royals must be addressed by their full name in public – even by each other.
So you will never hear Princess Kate call her husband “Wills” in public.
Order your drinks
Royals must buy their own drinks and never accept a bevvie from strangers
If you spot Prince William in the pub, don’t bother offering to get a round in.
Royals are not allowed to accept drinks from strangers – unless at an official function.
That’s why during their visits to Dublin, the Princess of Wales happily sipped from a pint of Guinness.
The rule was instilled to prevent anyone poisoning the Royal Family.
No Monopoly
Monopoly was barred in royal households after games got ‘too vicious’
That’s right, the bog standard family board game is banned from the Royal Family.
It’s not written into royal protocol but appears to be a peace-keeping measure in the family after some heated games.
At a bank opening in 2008 Prince Andrew was given the board game as a gift, but had to decline.
He said: “We are not allowed to play Monopoly at home”.
“It gets too vicious.”
Tea etiquette
To enjoy a cuppa, royals must follow a set of etiquette instructions
Royal protocol dictates family members must drink tea in a specific way.
A teacup’s handle must be held with the thumb and index finger.
Meanwhile, the middle finger must support the bottom of the cup.
So there’s no excuse for awkward spills.
Hat hierarchy
At events, women must wear a hat before 6pm – and only married women wear a tiara
No matter your status in the Royal Family, if you are at a public event you must wear a hat.
However, this rule gets interesting as soon as a woman in the royal family marries.
Hats are to be worn by female members until 6pm.
In the evening it’s custom to get bejewelled – but only married royals get to wear tiaras.
Table manners
Napkins must be kept folded at the royal dinner table
Even a royal needs to wipe their chops sometimes while eating.
But to maintain decorum there is a specific way to do so.
Napkins must be folded in half at the table and you must open the napkin and use the inside to wipe your face.
This apparently stops food dripping onto their gladrags.
Royal, not raw ill
On official visits, royals cannot eat rare meat or shellfish
Because the family are so busy with royal duties, they can’t afford a day off with a dodgy tum.
That’s why they are not allowed to eat anything that might make them ill – primarily shellfish or raw or rare meat.
They are also not allowed to drink tap water abroad in case it contains harmful bacteria.
The Duchess ‘slant’
Female royals are expected to adopt the ‘slant’ for long periods of sitting
You might have noticed female senior royals sit in a specific way – with their legs slanted to the side.
This is for when they must sit for long periods of time to protect their modesty.
Etiquette expert Myka Meier coined the phrase “the Duchess slant” to describe the move as it is favoured by the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex.
Royal ladies are also expected to walk down stairs with chins parallel to the ground and with hands at their side.
Excuse yourself
Royals should not announce to dinner guests they need the bathroom
If a Royal Family member suddenly need to leave the table during a meal, they mustn’t announce why.
Although most of us will say we’re nipping to the loo, royals are expected to be discreet.
They will simply say “excuse me” and slip out of the room with no further explanation.
No garlic
Garlic was banned from Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II
Garlic and onions were banned in Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II.
It is rumoured the Queen had an aversion to the smell of the bulb and wouldn’t allow fellow royals to eat it.
It’s unclear whether King Charles will continue this tradition.
Eat with the King
When the monarch stops eating – everyone else is expected to finish their meal too.
When the King finishes his meal, everyone is expected to stop eating
Queen Elizabeth developed a sneaky code to let her courtiers know when she expected a meal to end.
By putting her handbag on the table, she signalled she would be leaving the table in five minutes and no longer.
