We may think we know everything there is to know about the royal family (especially if we're watching The Crown), but these odd facts about the royals may shock even the biggest monarchy fans. From their bathing habits (or lack thereof) to how they like their shoelaces ironed, these tidbits are so interesting and, at times, quite shocking. We even discovered that one longtime royal couple is technically related.
A lot of the strange factoids come from rules that apply to the reigning monarch. So they're not just relevant to Queen Elizabeth — they'll one day be applied to Prince Charles, then Prince William, then Prince George, and so on. This is quite a family that people like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have married into. Maybe they didn't know about things like the traveling royal blood bank — or the banned words and board games when they joined the royal family — but they sure do now.
Keep reading to learn all about these 15 strange royal facts.
Queen Elizabeth I Hated Bathing
According to Express, Queen Elizabeth I would only take a bath once a month — no matter how dirty she was. Back when she ruled from 1558 until 1603, people feared that prolonged soaking would open the skin to diseases. So it's no wonder that monarchs like her, James I, and France's Louis XIV all hated to bathe. Louis XIV reportedly only took three baths in his whole life.
The Reigning Monarch Has Custody of Royal Grandchildren
King George I instituted a rule that all royal grandchildren belong to the reigning monarch because he didn't have a good relationship with his son. The rule has stayed in place, which means that the Queen technically was in charge of Prince William and Prince Harry when they were younger. It's specifically why custody was not part of Princess Diana and Prince Charles' divorce agreement.
When Prince Charles becomes king, he'll have custody of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Archie.
... And Owns All the Dolphins, Swans, and Whales in the UK
Another odd rule for the reigning monarch is that he or she owns all of England's unmarked swans — as well as dolphins, whales, and sturgeons in the coastal waters of the UK. The rule dates back to the 1300s, and the whales and dolphins in question are classified as "fishes royal."
The Queen & Prince Philip Are Actually Cousins
They may have been married for over 70 years, but the Queen and Prince Philip are also third cousins. They're both related to Queen Victoria, according to Insider. The Queen is related on her father's side, and Philip is related on his mother's side. Queen Victoria is great-great grandmother to them both.
Royals Can't Play Monopoly
The board game Monopoly can cause fights in just about any family (it's such a competitive game!), and that's the reason the royals have been banned from playing it. According to Prince Andrew, "it gets too vicious," so the Queen said they're no longer allowed to play.
The Queen Doesn't Need a Driver's License
In the UK, driver's licenses are issued in Queen Elizabeth's name, but she doesn't have to issue herself one. As reigning monarch, she can drive without a license and she doesn't need to take the driver's test or have a license plate on her car, either. Just a few of the perks of being queen. Prince Charles can look forward to those same privileges when he becomes king.
The Royals Travel With Bags of Their Own Blood
Heirs to the throne must be protected at all costs, and that means traveling around with a little fridge containing their own blood. That way, if something happens while they're abroad, they can guarantee a transfusion for themselves. It's reported that the Queen, Charles, and William do this, but no word on if the Duchess of Cambridge or her children do, too.
... And They Bring Their Own Booze
Something a little more fun to travel with than blood is booze. Reportedly, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles have their own private alcohol stash brought with them on their travels so they can ensure that their drinks aren't poisoned. Camilla prefers red wine, while Charles likes a gin and tonic.
The Cake Served at Prince Louis' Christening Was 7 Years Old
It's been tradition for every child of William and Kate's to be served a special christening cake after their baptisms. The dessert is a tier from the Cambridges' wedding fruitcake, originally baked in 2011. So, by the time Prince Louis was christened in 2018, the cake was 7 years old. That's the power of a freezer.
The Queen Gets Woken Up by Bagpipes Every Morning
We have alarm clocks and farmers have roosters, but the Queen has bagpipes to wake her up every morning. They play at 9 a.m. under her terrace for Her Majesty to enjoy. Not everyone loves the sound of bagpipes, but the Queen is a big fan of Scotland overall, so it makes sense that she also enjoys their national instrument.
Prince Harry's Real Name Isn't Harry
Harry is simply a nickname for Henry. The prince's full name being Henry Charles Albert David. Traditionally, royals don't use last names, but they can opt to use the family name Mountbatten-Windsor if they need. And when Harry was in the army, he went by Harry Wales — a nod to his father's title as Prince of Wales.
The Royals Have Specific Chores Done for Them
Growing up in a palace, the royals have become used to other people doing things for them. This reportedly includes Prince Charles having his shoelaces ironed every morning, and the Queen having someone else break in new shoes for her, lest she get a blister. Must be nice to be so pampered.
These Words Aren't Used by the Royals
As part of the royals' elite status, there are certain words they just don't use as they're considered common or impolite. This includes terms like "toilet," "couch," "dad," and even "posh." The royals don't consider themselves posh, even if we do. Instead, the proper upper class term is "smart."
The Queen Has Two Birthdays
Queen Elizabeth was born on April 21, but she also gets to celebrate her birthday every year during the Trooping the Colour in May or June. King Edward VII moved the parade from his actual birthday to the summer when it was warmer, and the rule stuck for the rest of the monarchs as well. Hope Queen Elizabeth gets double the gifts, then.
Royals Don't Vote
There's not a rule that prohibits the royals from voting, but it's discouraged for the monarchy to play any role in government. As such, Prince Harry recently admitted that he's never voted before. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle did vote in 2020 in the US election, now that she's no longer a working royal.
