The British monarchy is over 1,000 years old. Although the current members, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, have been working to modernize the crown, there are plenty of strange royal traditions and protocols that still exist.
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in British history, serving as the head of state for 70 years and 214 days until her death in September 2022 at the age of 96. Elizabeth did a lot to advance the monarchy, like embracing technology and pioneering the "royal walkabout" for direct public interaction. However, she was staunch in tradition and deeply invested in preserving the historic roots of the monarchy. In doing so, some interesting and strange royal traditions and protocols still remain. Keep reading to learn more.
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The Monarch Has Two Birthdays
The reigning sovereign gets to celebrate their birthday twice, thanks to King Edward VII, Elizabeth’s great-grandfather. Trooping the Colour has been an event to celebrate the monarch’s birthday since 1748, but Edward didn’t like doing the famed even during his November birthday because of the unpredictable weather. He set the date for the event in the summer, and now Trooping the Colour is always the second Saturday in June.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 14: Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2025 on June 14, 2025 in London, England. Trooping The Colour is a ceremonial parade celebrating the official birthday of the British Monarch. The event features over 1,400 soldiers and officers, accompanied by 200 horses. More than 400 musicians from ten different bands and Corps of Drums march and while performing. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)Karwai Tang/WireImage
The monarch and immediate family members are prohibited from signing autographs in an effort to prevent forgery. However, Prince William and Prince Harry have been known to break this rule on occasion.
Annual Christmas Weigh-In
King Edward VII wanted proof his guests had eaten to their hearts' content on Christmas, so he would weigh them. Reportedly, it was ideal to gain at least three pounds after the multi-course feast.
Elizabeth maintained the tradition throughout her reign and every guest at Sandringham was required to step on an antique scale at the beginning and end of the Christmas celebration.
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Legend dictates that at least six ravens must be kept at the Tower of London at all times, and while it’s rooted in superstition, it is maintained as a royal decree.
During King Charles II’s reign, a prophecy was foretold: “If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it.”
The Tower currently hosts seven ravens to ensure the requirement is always met, and they are cared for by the Ravenmaster.
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Sovereigns Don’t Need a License or a Seatbelt
While the members of the royal family can drive, they are often chauffeured. The reigning monarch is not required to have a driver’s license or a passport, as these documents are issued in the sovereign’s name. The monarch is also not required to have a license plate on their car, nor do they have to obey the speed limit.
Swan Upping
Every July, a team of royal swan uppers spends five days looking for baby swans in the River Thames to mark them for the palace.
Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she is being shown a orphaned cygnet at Oakley Court on the river bank during the swan upping census (the ancient ritual of her swans being counted) on the River Thames near Windsor. (Photo by Sang Tan/PA Images via Getty Images)Sang Tan/PA Images via Getty Images
“The Crown has held the right to claim ownership of all unmarked mute swans swimming in open waters throughout the country from as far back as the twelfth century,” according to the U.K.’s government website. “Historically, valuable rights of ownership were subsequently granted by the monarch to many people and organisations as swans were a prized food, served at banquets and feasts. Today, of course, swans are no longer eaten and are a protected species.”
According to royal protocol, direct heirs are required to fly separately to ensure two heirs are not killed in a single accident. Prince William began flying on a different plane from his father, now-King Charles, when he turned 12, and royal watchers have wondered if Prince George will follow suit after turning 12 in July 2025.
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A Kensington Palace spokesman previously told Cosmopolitan, "We don't comment on travel," when asked about George’s arrangements, but a former royal helicopter pilot recalled when William began flying on his own.
"Interestingly, we flew all four, the Prince [Charles], the Princess [Diana], Prince William and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old. After that, he had to have a separate aircraft and we could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty,” the pilot recalled to Daily Mail. “When William became 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt and we would fly the 146 out with the other three on."
Always Pack the Color Black
British royals are technically allowed to wear black, although it is typically reserved for funerals and mourning. (Which made Princess Diana's iconic "revenge dress" all the more jaw-dropping.) However, it is a mandatory travel rule to bring a black outfit.
Diana, Princess of Wales wearing a black pleated chiffon dress, with floating side panel, by Christina Stamboulian, during a party given at the Serpentine Gallery in London. (Photo by Martin Keene - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)Martin Keene - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
“They have to bring a black suit and tie, a dress or similar to be prepared if someone in the family dies while they’re away,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Reader’s Digest. “This is a rule that has been in place for over seven decades and is closely followed.”
Christmas Decoations Come Down in February
The royal family keeps their Christmas decorations up well into the new year. Queen Elizabeth kept Sandringham decorated until February 6th. The date marks the anniversary of her father King George VI's death at Sandringham in 1952. She was just 25 years old when he died and she ascended to the throne.
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