10 habits the royal family struggled to break, tell me about this news today

Strict royal protocol governs everything from dining etiquette to travel, yet members of the British royal family have consistently found certain lifelong habits and traditions difficultor impossibleto abandon.

Here are 10 well-known habits and rigid traditions the royal family has historically struggled to break:

1. Traveling together despite safety rules

   Longstanding protocol dictates that direct heirs to the throne should avoid flying on the same aircraft to protect the line of succession. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have frequently chosen to travel with their young children despite recurring debates among royal advisors.

2. Selfies and informal fan interactions

   Royals were traditionally taught to avoid selfies, give handshakes sparingly, and never pose casually with crowds. Younger generations continually slip into taking front-facing phone photos and exchanging hugs during walkabouts, despite repeated protocol reminders.

3. Autograph bans

   Royals are strictly barred from signing autographs to prevent forgery of royal signatures. Over the years, figures like King Charles III and Meghan Markle have occasionally broken this by scribbling personal notes or signing visitor guestbooks casually.

4. Public displays of affection (PDA)

   Queen Elizabeth II established an unwritten rule of professional detachment in public. While Prince William and Kate largely adhere to this, Prince Harry and Meghan frequently held hands, and younger royals increasingly struggle to keep their natural affection entirely hidden from cameras.

5. Speaking out on social and environmental causes

   Constitutional monarchs are meant to remain politically neutral. King Charles famously struggled with this as Prince of Walesmost notably through his “black spider memos”advocating passionately for environmental conservation, architecture, and organic farming despite calls to step back.

6. The all-black outfit travel mandate

   Royals must pack a black outfit on every overseas trip so they are prepared to emerge in mourning clothes if a family member passes away. Forgetting or deprioritizing this requirement has led to awkward moments historically, most famously when Princess Elizabeth returned from Kenya in 1952 without a mourning dress ready upon landing.

7. Bypassing the traditional royal Christmas gathering

   The royal family has spent Christmas at Sandringham House for decades following a rigid schedule. Breaking away to spend the holidays with in-laws (such as the Middletons) or abroad has historically caused tension and resistance within the palace machine.

8. Dietary restrictions on royal tours

   Royals are officially advised to avoid shellfish, rare meat, and overly exotic tap waters abroad to minimize the risk of food poisoning during tightly scheduled official visits. Several royals, including Prince William, have admitted to occasionally indulging their personal cravings regardless.

9. Casual attire and comfort over formal dress codes

   From royal children wearing traditional shorts in chilly weather to women wearing pant suits instead of skirts, royals regularly push the boundaries of court-approved clothing. The modern working royals consistently lean toward contemporary, relatable fashion instead of traditional court wear.

10. Directly addressing tabloid stories

    The royal house motto was famously “never complain, never explain.” In recent years, Prince William, Prince Harry, and King Charles have all struggled to maintain complete silence, occasionally issuing legal warnings or direct personal statements to counter media falsehoods.