No Baby Food
At one time or another, we have all either been spat up on or been the one spitting up peas and carrots, corn and turkey, or one of many other varieties of jarred baby foods. This is not a problem that a royal parent needs to trouble themselves with.
From the time that they are old enough to eat solid foods, as a rule, the children of royalty are not to be fed any baby food. All of their meals, from the time they finish being breastfed, is prepared by the royal kitchens.
All Royal Children Are Baptized
Being devout Anglicans, it is mandatory for every royal baby to be baptized. Using holy water that is drawn from the Jordan River, each baby in the royal family is baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
From the time of Victoria’s christening in 1841 until 2004, all of the royal babies were baptized in the same traditional christening gown. In 2004, it was decided that the gown should be put into conservation and it was subsequently retired.
The World Must Know
The birth of a new baby is a momentous occasion in anyone’s family. It is something that every new parent would cry out from the highest building if they could. The royal family has a man to do just that.
The (unofficial) Town Crier announces the birth of each and every royal baby. In doing so he lets the world know that a new member of Britain’s royal family has been ‘safely delivered’.
The Kids Have Their Own Christmas Table
Some of the most entertaining stories that we have from our childhoods come from when our whole families would get together for holiday meals. The adults would be exchanging pleasantries while hoping that all the kids were behaving down the other end of the room. Holiday meals with the little princes and princesses are no different.
At Christmas lunch every year, while the adults sit down to enjoy their meals, the kids are at their own seperate Royal Kids table.
Tea Time
Most days between 3 pm and 5 pm the Queen and those with her sit down for ‘Tea Time’. Sporting delicious cakes sandwiches and preserves, ‘Tea Time’ has some very delicious snacks. To wash these treats down, one usually partakes in a nice hot cup of tea. Just make sure that the cup is held properly if ever invited to the palace.
Holding the cup and saucer at waist height, unless taking a sip is expected of all guests and royals alike. From a young age princes and princesses are also taught to grasp the handle of the cup with their forefinger and thumb. Putting their forefinger through the handle instead is definitely a no no.
Etiquette Training From A Young Age
Royal children, more than any other children, are constantly in the spotlight. The world is always watching. For this, and many other reasons, these young ones are taught how to behave in almost ever situation.
While eating meals, even as a child, they are taught not to stab their fork through their food. They must balance the food on the back side of the fork while using their knife for assistance.
They Must Accept Gifts
All children love to be given gifts, whether it be a new toy, a video game or even just a baloon to play with. But sometimes, kids are given gifts that they just do not really like, and they don’t want to take. Royal children don’t have a choice in the matter.
If given a gift, a prince or princess must accept the gift. There is no turning the other cheek if they are unhappy with the gift that is given to them. If on official royal business, the kids have to accept the presents but the given gift actually belongs to the crown, so they may not be able to keep it, even if they want to.
Military Service
No, the royal children do not have to serve in the military as children. However, once they do come of age, it is expected that all princes and princesses join the British Military.
William served seven and a half years and Harry served for an astonishing ten years. In 1945, even, Queen Elizabeth, served as the first woman in the Royal Family to take on service in the British Armed Services as a full-time active member. This, of course, was before she became Queen.
‘Do Not, Pass Go’
The children of the Royal Family, are not allowed to play Monopoly. That’s right. Even when they grow older, they are asked to not partake in this old favourite.
Due to the aggresive and combative nature of the game, it is believed, by the monarchs, that playing Monopoly would create too much direct competition and animosity amongst its own.
Grandma?
In the eyes of the royal children, their parents are not princes and princesses, or dukes and dutchesses, they are mum and dad. However, they are told not to call the Queen grandma.
Even the royal children have to address the Queen by one of her titles. At least in public. In the privacy of the palace, she will always be Grandma Lilibet.
Flying With Another Heir Is Out of The Question
Up until they turn eleven or twelve years old, the little princes and princesses, usually, travel everywhere with their parents. After they become adolescents, this all changes. There is no more flying on the same plane with both parents.
If there is an accident of any kind on one of the flights, there always needs to be a succesor to the crown. This is why no two heirs to the Royal Family are meant to fly together in the same airplane. There are, of course, always exceptions.
Passports Are A Must
Since royals and their families are forced to go on a family vacation every year, it only makes sense, that even as children they all have their international travel documents in order.
All royals, from the time they are babies must have passports. It’s a must. Except the Queen of course. British passports are issued by order of the Queen, and well, she should haven’t to issue herself one.