16 Strange Facts About Royalty You Didn’t Know
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Kings, queens, and royal families have always fascinated people with their lavish lifestyles and grand traditions. But beyond the glittering crowns and opulent palaces, there are plenty of odd and weird details about royal life that you might not know. From bizarre customs to unusual rules, the world of royalty is full of surprises. Here are 16 strange and fun facts about royalty that are sure to catch you off guard!
Blue Blood Myth
People used to say royals had “blue blood.” This wasn’t actually true! The idea came from pale-skinned royals whose veins looked blue under their skin. They were pale because they didn’t work outside like common folks. So, “blue blood” just meant someone was rich enough to stay indoors all day.
Fancy Titles for Royal Babies
Royal babies get big titles as soon as they’re born. Prince George, for example, was called “His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge” when he was just a tiny baby. Imagine having such a long name before you can even talk! These titles are very important to royals and show where the baby fits in the royal family.
Royal Hand-Waving
Have you ever noticed how royals wave? They do it in a special way, moving their hands slowly from side to side. This wave is taught to royals and has a name – it’s called “the Windsor wave.” They do this special wave so their arms don’t get tired when they have to wave to crowds for a long time.
No Monopoly for the Queen
The Queen of England isn’t allowed to play Monopoly. This game can get pretty heated, and the royal family wants to avoid arguments. It might seem silly, but even royals have rules about what games they can play! Imagine not being able to play your favorite board game just because you’re the queen.
Royal Poop Inspection
Long ago, some royal doctors would check the king’s poop every day. They thought they could tell if the king was healthy by looking at his poop. The doctor even had a special title – “Groom of the Stool.” It was actually an important job, and the person who did it was often one of the king’s close friends.
Two Birthdays for the Queen
The Queen of England gets two birthdays every year. She has her real birthday, and then she has an “official” birthday in June. This tradition started because of the weather. Kings and queens wanted to have big outdoor parties for their birthdays, but the weather in April (when the current Queen was born) can be cold and rainy.
Royal Family’s Last Name
For a long time, the British royal family didn’t have a last name. They just used their first names and titles. In 1917, they decided to use the last name “Windsor.” Now, some royals use “Mountbatten-Windsor” when they need a last name. But most of the time, they still just use their titles.
Owning All the Swans
The Queen (or King) of England owns all the swans in open waters in the UK. This strange rule started in the 12th century when swans were considered a delicious meal for royal feasts. Now, the Queen doesn’t eat the swans, but she still technically owns them. Every year, there’s even a swan census called “Swan Upping”!
No Passport Needed
The Queen of England doesn’t need a passport to travel. All British passports are issued in her name, so she doesn’t need to give herself permission to travel. She can just hop on a plane and go wherever she wants without showing any ID. That’s a pretty cool perk of being queen!
Royal Food Tasters
In the past, royals had people taste their food before they ate it. This was to make sure the food wasn’t poisoned. Some modern royals still have their food checked, but not by having someone else eat it first. Instead, they have security teams that make sure all their food is safe.
No Shellfish Rule
Many royals aren’t supposed to eat shellfish. This rule exists because shellfish can sometimes make you sick, and royals don’t want to risk getting food poisoning while they’re traveling or doing important royal duties. Some younger royals don’t always follow this rule, though.
Royal Corgis
Queen Elizabeth II loved corgis. She owned more than 30 of these dogs during her reign! The royal corgis lived a fancy life, eating special meals prepared by chefs and sleeping in their own room in the palace. The Queen even invented a new dog breed by mixing her corgi with her sister’s dachshund, creating the “dorgi.”
King’s Spoon Tester
In medieval times, there was a royal job called the “Grand Carver.” This person would cut the king’s meat for him at feasts. There was also a “Master Carver” who would test the king’s spoon before each meal. These jobs were considered very important and were usually given to nobles.
No Voting Allowed
In the UK, the monarch and their close family members don’t vote in elections. This is to keep the royals neutral in politics. They’re not legally banned from voting, but it’s a strong tradition they follow. Imagine not being able to vote just because you’re part of the royal family!
Royal Drinks
Some royals have their favorite drinks trademarked. For example, King Charles has a special whisky called “Barrogill” that no one else can make. The royal family also has its own special champagne. These special royal drinks are sometimes sold to the public, but they’re usually pretty expensive.
Waking Up the Royals
In the past, some royals had a special person to wake them up each morning. This job was called the “Gentleman of the Bedchamber.” They would help the king or queen get dressed and ready for the day. It might sound nice to have someone help you get ready, but it also meant royals had very little privacy.
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