5 unusual British royal fashion rules that are strictly mandatory

The British royal family requires no introduction, as it is one of the oldest and most renowned running monarchies in the world. Creating the illusion of a beautiful family with abiding traditions and following the protocols, some undercurrents seem to be weird and are often mocked by the 21st-century crowd. Amongst some unusual rules, the British royal family are very specific and strict about how they present themselves. With a prim and proper style guide, let’s take a look at some eccentric sartorial rules followed by the British royal family.

One of the longstanding royal etiquette rules requires women in the royal family to wear hats at all official daytime events. This tradition dates back to the 1950s, a time when women in general began to forgo hats in public. However, the Queen insisted on preserving the custom, particularly for formal occasions like christenings and weddings. According to royal protocol, hats should be removed after 6 PM, making way for dazzling tiaras to take their place for evening affairs.
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Only women who are married within the family are eligible to wear the jewel, as tiaras serve as a symbol of their relationship status, keeping curious bachelors at bay. Tiaras signal the crowning of love and the loss of innocence in marriage, wherein the family tiara worn by the bride is given to her by the groom’s family and is a subliminal reminder that she has moved from one family to another.
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There are no casual sweatpants in Prince George’s wardrobe, as royal tradition forbids him from wearing long trousers at a young age. The young prince, third in line to the throne, is only seen in public dressed in smart shorts. In British aristocratic circles, trousers are traditionally reserved for older boys and men, while young boys in trousers are often viewed as middle class. This custom dates back to the 16th century, with boys typically "graduating" to trousers around the age of eight.
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There is no written law that states the must-have of a pantyhose, but it’s an unspoken rule that the Queen used to expect. Female family members were to wear sleek black tights to all public outings. However, the rule breaker of the family, Meghan Markle, skipped the nude stockings during her photo call for the November engagement and quickly learnt the lesson, as she slipped on a pair at Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey.
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To avoid any Marilyn Monroe-style mishaps, royal protocol mandates weighted hemlines to prevent skirts and dresses from flying up in the wind. The late Queen famously had curtain weights discreetly sewn into her garments to maintain modesty during public appearances. The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, once gave paparazzi an unintended glimpse of her undergarments during a breezy moment, but she quickly adopted the clever tailoring trick for future outings.
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