Unexpected Fashion Rules that the Royal Family Follows

Being a part of the royal family is amazing, but it comes with a lot of traditions and rules, some of which affect even their fashion choices. Here are 5 style protocols that they follow.

1. Wedding dresses need the Queen's approval.
It’s a tradition that the Queen needs to approve the final version of a royal wedding dress. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth had to approve of Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen gown in 2011, and she did the same with Meghan Markle’s dress for her wedding.

2. Colourful nail polish isn't allowed.
Every time you see Queen Elizabeth or Kate Middleton step out, you might notice their nail colour is always neutral. They either wear subtle pinks or clear polish when on official business because only natural-looking nails are allowed at royal events.

3. The Queen uses her handbags to send secret messages.
You may notice that the Queen is never without a handbag, and that’s because she uses it to send signals. For example, when she wants to leave dinner, simply setting her bag on top of the table lets her aides know that the party is ending shortly and that she wants to leave. Also, when she’s in conversation and switches her purse to her other hand, it means that she would like to politely wrap it up.

4. Do NOT wear wedge shoes around the Queen.
The Queen apparently isn’t a fan of the style of wedge shoes. ‘She really doesn’t like them, and it’s well known among the women in the family,’ a royal source told Vanity Fair. Kate has worn the style multiple times but only without the presence of the Queen.

5. Weighted hemlines are a common trick to avoid wardrobe malfunctions.
Queen Elizabeth has a hack for preventing her dress dangerously catching the breeze. Stewart Parvin, one of her couturiers, told the Daily Mail that he sews weights into the hemlines of the Queen’s clothes, which prevents them from blowing up in the wind.