10 weird traditions and customs still followed by the British royal family

When you look at the British Royal family, you see the ultimate display of polish and poise. But behind those palace gates, life is governed by a set of rules that are—to put it mildly—a bit eccentric.

While some of these traditions are about security, others are just passed on from ages. Here we list some weird traditions and customs still followed by the British royal family:

Photo Credit: X/@RoyalFamily

This is probably the most somber rule on the list. Every royal must pack a full black outfit (their mourning clothes) whenever they travel. Why? Because of a heartbreaking moment in 1952. Back then, a young Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya when her father, King George VI, passed away. When she landed back in London, she realised she didn’t have black clothes to wear for her first appearance as Queen. She had to wait on the plane until a mourning outfit was brought to her. And so, now, the British royals never leave home without a “just in case” black suit or dress.

You’ll never see a royal sign an autograph. If you ask, they’ll politely decline (King Charles has famously told fans, “I’m not allowed to”). This isn’t about being aloof; it’s a security measure. The Palace is terrified of their signatures being forged or used for fraudulent purposes. They’re happy to chat or take a photo (within reason) with the public, but their handwriting stays off the record for people.

Picture credit : AP

This one is pure logistics: two direct heirs to the throne are technically not supposed to fly on the same plane. The goal is to protect the line of succession; if a tragedy happens, the monarchy needs a survivor to step up. For instance: As Prince George grows up, he and his father, Prince William have to take separate flights for traveling to the same destination. It’s a bit of a grim reminder that even their family vacations are part of a national security strategy.

This is easily the weirdest one. There is a historical tradition (started by King Edward VII) of weighing guests before and after Christmas dinner at Sandringham. The idea was that if you gained a few pounds, it was a compliment to the host—proof that you actually enjoyed the food. While it’s reportedly more of a “fun” lighthearted tradition today, the thought of stepping on a scale in front of the King after eating a massive turkey dinner is enough to make anyone sweat.

If you’re lucky enough to score a seat at a royal banquet, keep an eye on the King’s plate. Protocol dictates that when the monarch stops eating, everyone else stops eating. It doesn’t matter if you still have half of your food left on your plate— when the King puts down his fork, the meal is officially over.

If you’re hoping for a garlicky pasta dish at Buckingham Palace, you’re out of luck. Queen Elizabeth famously loathed garlic, but the rule persists for a practical reason: Royals spend their entire lives talking to people at close range. To avoid “garlic breath” while leaning in to talk to a Prime Minister or a charity head, they keep the menu relatively bland. Shellfish is also generally avoided on tours to prevent any risk of food poisoning.

Bowing and curtsying is still a massive part of palace life. Even within the family, there is a complex “order of precedence.” If you are a lower-ranking royal, you curtsy to those above you. This changes depending on who is in the room and whether the monarch is present. To outsiders, it looks like a dance; to them, it’s just how they say “hello” at the office.

Photo: Insider

King Charles gets two birthdays. His actual one is in November, but his “official” one is in June. Why? Because British weather is notoriously bad. King George II started this in 1748 because he didn’t want his subjects catching pneumonia during a November parade. Now, the public celebration (Trooping the Colour) happens in the summer sun, while the real birthday is a private family affair.

For the high-ranking royals, travel involves more than just a passport. They often travel with their own doctor and, reportedly, a supply of their own blood. In the event of an emergency in a location where the blood supply might be compromised or unavailable, they have a “match” ready to go. It sounds like something out of a spy movie, but for the King, it’s just standard preparation.

Finally, there’s the superstition. Legend has it that if the six ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the kingdom will fall. To this day, the government actually employs a “Ravenmaster” to care for the birds. They even clip their wings slightly to make sure they stay put. It’s a bizarre mix of bird-watching and national defense that the British wouldn’t have any other way.