Royal Family News: Why King Charles Has TWO birthdays, Plus Other Wacky Royal Family Traditions

British royal family news reveals that as monarch King Charles gets to celebrate not one, but two, birthdays every year (it really is good to be king).

His first birthday will be celebrated next week, June 17, and involves the annual Trooping the Colour parade. Why does the UK monarch get multiple birthdays while the rest of use have just one? We’re here to break down this irregularity as well as several other fishy royal customs!

Royal Family News – Charles Has Two Birthdays

Charles was born in November but the June 17 event marks the official birthday of the British sovereign, and the parade, aka the King’s Birthday Parade in his honor, dates back to the 17th century.

Another king born in November, King Edward VII held Trooping the Colour in May or June because the summer weather would be fairer. And because he could. Full stop.

Royal Family News – Quirky Royal Family Traditions

Another odd royal rule maintains that heirs can’t fly together on the same flight, in order to protect the line of succession in the unfortunate event of a crash.

Also, most of us have received plenty of gifts over the course of our lifetimes. But do you keep track of each and every one? The royals do! According to National Post “All gifts received by Royal Family members must be kept recorded and be traceable at all times. In fact, Buckingham Palace releases a list of official gifts the Royal Family receives each year, whether it’s a PhD thesis, an automatic rifle or 12 boxes of mangos.”

And of course it goes without saying that the royals are not supposed to accept gifts that would place them “under any obligation to the donor” aka blackmail.

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Royal Family News – Christmas Weigh-ins

Who doesn’t dread adding a few pounds during the holidays? Well, the royals take it a step further, they actually get weighed “before and after Christmas dinner. If a member of the family weighs more after supper, it’s evidence they truly enjoyed themselves at the table.”

Royal Family News – Dinner Table Manners

Also there is a procedure to follow if a royal needs to use the restroom while at the dinner table. “First, they must never explain that they’re off to the lavatory, but instead, simply say excuse me before exiting. If they’re not done eating, they cross their utensils so their place setting is not disturbed. When they do finish their meal, their utensils are placed at an angle, with the handles facing the bottom right of the plate.”

Royal Family News – Black Clothing At Funerals

Diana Princess of Wales found herself on the wrong end of one royal rule when she decided to wear black to an event after her engagement to then-Prince Charles. She sweetly remembered “It was a grown-up dress.” But Charles blanched and said “You’re not going in that, are you? Only people in mourning wear black.”

And now you know how to excuse yourself when dining with the monarch, what to wear, and what type of gift not to give!

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with the royal family. Come back here often for royal family news and updates.

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