# data[].attributes.body
The Queen's guards
The Queen's guards
Top 10 facts about Buckingham Palace
Top 10 facts about Buckingham Palace

As we reported yesterday, the Queen’s finances are in a bit of a mess and she has been advised to consider renting out Buckingham Palace for commercial events when she is not in residence.

By WILLIAM HARTSON
PUBLISHED: 00:16, Wed, Jan 29, 2014
 

The palace was built in 1705 as the town house of the Duke of Buckingham [GETTY]

1. Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Britain's monarchs since 1837.

2. The palace has 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

3. The postcode for the Palace is SW1A 1AA. That of 10 Downing Street is SW1A 2AA.

4. The palace was built in 1705 as the town house of the Duke of Buckingham.

5. It was known as Buckingham House but was bought by George III for wife Queen Charlotte, when it became known as “The Queen’s House”.

6. Fourteen of Queen Charlotte’s 15 children were born in Buckingham Palace.

7. Edward Jones, known as “the boy Jones”, broke into the palace three times between 1838 and 1841.

8. After his first break-in, aged 14, he was captured by the police in nearby St James’s St with Queen Victoria’s underwear stuffed down his trousers.

9. When the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace was opened in 1856, it was the largest room in London.

10. There are 1,514 doors and 760 windows in the palace. The windows are cleaned every six weeks.


15 facts about the Queen
15 facts about the Queen


1. Queen Elizabeth II was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926

To parents the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)

2. She was crowned Queen on 2 June 1953

Watched by a TV audience of 20 million people


3. She is the longest reigning monarch ever in Britain

Beating even Queen Victoria (her great-grandma!)

4. As Queen, she has seen 12 UK Prime Ministers come to power

5. Her favourite dogs are corgis

She even invented a new breed of dog when her corgi mated with a dachshund belonging to her sister, Princess Margaret, creating the “dorgi”.

6. She’s the only person in the UK allowed to drive without a licence

And she still drives to this day!

7. The Queen has two birthdays

Her actual birthday – 21 April – and her official birthday, which is held on a Saturday in June – when the weather’s better!


8. The Queen’s birthplace is now a fancy Cantonese restaurant

Called Hakkasan, at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair – we hope she likes a takeaway!

9. The Queen first sent an email in 1976!

10. She has many hobbies

Including horse riding, pigeon racing, and football – she’s an Arsenal supporter!

11. Queen Elizabeth became a homeowner at just six years old

When the people of Wales gifted her a house in the grounds of Windsor’s Royal Lodge. Named Y Bwthyn Bach, it means “little cottage”.


 12. The Queen has sent around 50,000 Christmas cards

– and counting!

13. She owns an elephant, two giant turtles, a jaguar and a pair of sloths

Presents from other countries, all of which live in London Zoo.


14. Princess Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast in October 1940, during the Second World War.
15. Even the monarch can go undercover sometimes

On a recent low-key trip to Scotland, she met some American tourists while walking. Asked if she lived round here, she mentioned that she had a house nearby, and when asked if she’d ever met the Queen she simply pointed at her policeman and said, “No, but he has!”


What do you think of our facts about the Queen? Let us know by leaving a comment below!


Your Complete Guide to the British Royal Family Tree and Line of Succession
Your Complete Guide to the British Royal Family Tree and Line of Succession


By KATE SAMUELSON Updated: April 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET | Originally published: April 23, 2018

The British royal family tree and line of succession is going through some changes. In May alone, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were married while Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a royal baby boy, Prince Louis.


While Queen Eliabeth, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George are fairly easily to place in the rather complicated British royal family tree, where do royals like Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall and Prince Edward come into the picture? If you can’t get your head around the head-scratch-worthy royal family tree, don’t be too hard on yourself. The most famous family in Britain is notoriously a complicated one, with a few divorces, second marriages and name repetitions.


To make matters even more complicated, the British royal line of succession is also pretty complex. Until fairly recently, the line of succession followed a system of male preference primogeniture — where princes took precedence over their older sisters. However, the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act amended the system so that males no longer take precedence over their older sisters. This is why, though Kate Middleton and Prince William’s third child is a boy, Princess Charlotte will remain fourth in line to the throne and won’t be bumped down to fifth place.





So, for those of you struggling to determine between your Prince Philips and your Peter Phillips, here is a complete look at the British royal family tree and the equally mind-muddling line of succession.



Queen Elizabeth: On the throne


Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives at Tweedbank Station on September 9, 2015 in Tweedbank, Scotland.
 
Chris Jackson—Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II is the world’s longest reigning monarch and has been on the throne for a whopping 66 years. She sits at the top of the British royal family tree, boasting four children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren — with another two on the way. Many will be familiar with the Queen’s life story thanks to the popular Netflix series The Crown, which has so far chronicled her life from pre-coronation through her late 30s.



The Queen’s husband Prince Phillip (also known as the Duke of Edinburgh) married into the royal family, therefore he’s next to Queen Elizabeth at the top of the royal family tree but not included in the royal line of succession.


Prince Charles: First in line to the throne


Prince Charles, Prince of Wales 
 
Prince Charles, who turns 70 this year, will inherit the crown when his 92-year-old mother Queen Elizabeth passes away. Charles, whose official title is the Prince of Wales, is the first child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on the royal family tree, and an older brother to Princess Anne (known as the Princess Royal), Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. He is also the father of Princes William and Harry, who he had with his first wife, the late Princess Diana.



Prince William: Second in line to the throne


Prince William 

Thirty-five-year-old Prince William is second in line to the throne, under his father, Prince Charles, on the royal family tree. His mother was the late Diana Spencer (known as Diana, Princess of Wales), and he is married to the non-royal Kate Middleton. Following in the footsteps of his mother, Prince William is heavily involved with hundreds of charities, from his spearheading of the mental health initiative Heads Together to his work as a patron for Centrepoint, a charity which supports homeless young people. Since 2010, Prince William has been President of BAFTA (the British equivalent of the Oscars), supporting its award ceremonies and various charitable activities that include promoting emerging talent from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.



Prince George: Third in line to the throne


Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George 

Cheeky Prince George is third in line to the throne, just under his father, Prince William on the British royal family tree. Despite being only four years old, the young prince has already accompanied his parents on various royal duties including a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia in 2014 and an official visit to Canada in 2016. George, known as Prince George of Cambridge, made headlines around the world when he began kindergarten in 2016. He’s also expected to be part of his uncle Prince Harry’s royal wedding to Meghan Markle this May.



Princess Charlotte: Fourth in line to the throne


Princess Charlotte of Cambridge


Prince George’s younger sister Charlotte sits next to her brother George on the royal family tree, but just under him in the line of succession. Princess Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne, and even if her upcoming younger royal sibling is a boy, he will not replace her in the line of succession thanks to the new rules. Princess Charlotte, aged two, enjoyed her first family holiday in 2016 — when she went skiing and played in the snow in the French Alps.



Prince Louis: Fifth in line to the throne


Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge departs the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital with her newborn baby son on April 23, 2018 in London, England. The Duchess delivered a boy at 11:01 am, weighing 8lbs 7oz, who will be fifth in line to the throne.
 
Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Prince Louis, the third child of Prince William and Kate Middleton is fifth in line to the throne, bumping Prince Harry down to sixth position. Middleton gave birth to the royal baby boy on Monday, April 23, and the royal family released his name, Louis Arthur Charles, on Friday. Despite the newborn being a boy, he has not replaced elder sister Princess Charlotte thanks to the recent change in the rules of the line of succession.



Prince Harry: Sixth in line to the throne


Prince Harry during the 'Walk Of America' launch at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 11, 2018 in London, England.
 
Chris Jackson—Getty Images

It’s very unlikely that Prince Harry, 33, will ever be king, given his lowly sixth position in the line of succession behind George, Charlotte and the upcoming royal baby number three (though he’s next to his brother, Prince William, on the royal family tree). That said, he’s clearly got bigger things on his mind than ascending the throne. Harry is involved in several charitable initiatives, including mental health campaigns, The Invictus Games and conservation projects in Africa. He’s also recently married Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in a highly-anticipated royal wedding (for which he also received the title Duke of Sussex from Queen Elizabeth).



Prince Andrew: Seventh in line to the throne


Prince Andrew, Duke of York points his finger as he speaks to business leaders during a reception at the sideline of the World Economic Forum on January 22, 2015 in Davos Switzerland.
 
Michel Euler/WPA Pool—Getty Images

Prince Andrew, better known as the Duke of York, sits under Queen Elizabeth on the royal family tree as her second-eldest son. At the time of his birth, Andrew was second in line to the throne, but he’s since moved to seventh place. Prince Andrew was previously married to Sarah Ferguson, known as ‘Fergie’. In January 2015, Prince Andrew faced allegations of sexual impropriety, which Buckingham Palace has denied.



Princess Beatrice: Eighth in line to the throne


Princess Beatrice of York attends Mazi's Summer Party with guest of honor Eugenie Niarchos, Venyx World, on June 24, 2014 in London, England.
 
David M. Benett—2014 David M. Benett

Princess Beatrice of York is the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. The 29-year-old is perhaps best known for her extravagant headwear (the hat she wore at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 spawned its own Facebook page with thousands of likes.



Princess Eugenie: Ninth in line to the throne


Princess Eugenie of York watches the racing as she attends Day 1 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 17, 2014 in Ascot, England.
 
Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Princess Eugenie is the younger sister of Princess Beatrice. The 28-year-old is the latest member of the Royal Family to get engaged, to Jack Brooksbank, the former manager of an upper-class nightclub, whom she met on a skiing trip. Eugenie’s engagement ring features a pink-hued padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds. In an interview with the BBC, she said the proposal, which took place in Nicaragua, was a “complete surprise.”



Prince Edward: 10th in line to the throne


Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attend a gala fundraising dinner on the Isle of Wight on March 27, 2014 in Cowes, England.
 
Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Prince Edward, also known as the Earl of Wessex, is the Queen and Prince Philip’s youngest child, sitting next to Princes Charles and Edward on the royal family tree. Edward takes precedence over his elder sister Anne in the line of succession because the new rules that could affect Princess Charlotte only apply to males born after October 28, 2011. Edward is married to Sophie Rhys-Jones, who worked in public relations. The pair have two children: James, Viscount Severn, and Lady Louise Windsor.



James, Viscount Severn: 11th in line to the throne


James Viscount Severn attends The Royal Windsor Horse Show on May 14, 2016 in Windsor, England.
Mark Cuthbert—UK Press via Getty Images

Just when you thought the names of the British royal family couldn’t get any posher, James, Viscount Severn comes along. The 10-year-old is the youngest child of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones on the royal family tree, but takes precedence over his elder sister, Lady Louise Windsor in the royal line of succession. Because his father is an Earl, James has taken on the subsidiary title of Viscount Severn, rather than Prince.



Lady Louise Windsor: 12th in line to the throne


Lady Louise Windsor seen carriage driving as she takes part in The Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society on day 5 of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park on May 14, 2017 in Windsor, England.
 
Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Fourteen-year-old Lady Louise Windsor is twelfth in line to the throne, following her brother James, who she sits next to on the royal family tree. The teenager, who was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, was born a month prematurely and delivered by emergency Caesarian section. In an interview with the BBC in 2016, her mother, the Countess of Wessex, revealed that Louise did not realize her grandmother was the Queen until it was pointed out to her at school.



Anne, Princess Royal: 13th in line to the throne


Princess Anne, Princess Royal attends day 1 'Champion Day' of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2018 in Cheltenham, England.
 
Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Anne, a keen and talented equestrian, is the second child of the Queen and Prince Philip, sitting next to her brothers, Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward on the royal family tree. She is known as the Princess Royal — a title often awarded by a British ruler to their eldest daughter. The 67-year-old is involved with more than 300 charities and has been President of Save the Children U.K. since 1970. Anne has two children, Peter and Zara, with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. She divorced Mark Phillips in 1992 and has been married to retired British naval officer Sir Timothy Laurence since the same year.


10 Facts About the Royal Family That Will Make You Say ‘What?!’
10 Facts About the Royal Family That Will Make You Say ‘What?!’
CULTURE

By Meghan McKenna Date August 1, 2017



The Royal family—they’re just like us!
LOL just kidding, just because they dad dance and wear Zara every once in a while doesn’t mean these people are anything like us common folk. Britain has a monarchy because it’s tradition, and so the Royal family would be nothing if not for the traditions they meticulously keep. Some of these rules and customs are charming and cute, while others are downright morbid and mean.
Take notes, Meghan Markle. Here are some of the weird and wacky things you might be getting yourself into. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

They always travel with black clothing


PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTIAN CHARISIUS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
According to The Independent, the Royal fam is required to pack a black ensemble in their bag every time they travel abroad. Because, you know, somebody might die while they’re away, and they need to make sure their outfit matches the mood when they arrive on home soil. Pretty morbid, but very practical.
The Queen has been wearing the same $8 nail polish since 1989


PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES
Essie’s “Ballet Slippers” nail polish has long been a favourite of blogger, celebs, normal people—and the Queen of England. According to the Essie website, in 1989 Queen Elizabeth’s hairdresser sent the company a letter requesting a bottle of “the only colour Her Majesty would wear.”
They aren’t allowed to play Monopoly


PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATE GILLON/GETTY IMAGES
Back in 2008, Prince Andrew was presented with the board game Monopoly. The gift giver likely didn’t anticipate the Royal’s odd response to the kind gesture: “We’re not allowed to play Monopoly at home,” Prince Andrew disclosed. Why? Well, apparently “it gets too vicious.”
The Queen uses her purse to send secret signals


PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
“It would be very worrying if you were talking to the Queen and saw the handbag move from one hand to the other,” Royal Historian Hugo Vickers told People. Apparently, this subtle signal is how the Queen indicates to her staff that she’s ready to wrap up her current conversation.
They don’t have a last name


PHOTOGRAPHY BY GETTY
Merry Christmas from…”The Royals?” There’s a reason why you don’t hear Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s last name—they, uh, don’t really have one. *Technically*, since 1960, the Royal last name has been Mountbatten-Windsor, which is a compound of the Royal house name and Prince Philip’s pre-monarchy surname.
They aren’t supposed to eat shellfish


PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES
There is an old rule in England that the Royal family is never served shellfish in order to avoid food poisoning. Prince Charles doesn’t follow this rule, because does he really follow any rules (cough Camilla)?
The Queen doesn’t need a driver’s license


PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARL DE SOUZA/GETTY IMAGES
At 91 years old, Her Majesty has never needed to take a driving test—and that’s her “royal prerogative.” Queen Elizabeth trained as a driver and a mechanic during the Second World War, so even as an unlicensed 91-year-old she’s probably a better driver than you or I.
They aren’t allowed to touch commoners


PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
Historically, it’s been widely understood that members of the public can only touch members of the Royal family with a formal handshake. But the protocol is sometimes broken—like in this picture of Prince William greeting New Zealand’s former Governor General Sir Paul Reeves in the traditional Maori way.
The Queen drinks 4 cocktails every day


PHOTOGRAPHY BY YUI MOK – WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES
Yaaaas Queen. Her Majesty is know to indulge in chocolate cake, champagne before bed and finger sandwiches with the crust cut off. Check out our full food (and beverage!) diary for Queen Elizabeth here.
Prince Harry’s real name is Henry


PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAX 
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo
📎 Photo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Can the Queen's Guard Really Not React to People While on Duty?

# data[].attributes.body
As we reported yesterday, the Queen’s finances are in a bit of a mess and she has been advised to consider renting out Buckingham Palace for commercial events when she is not in residence.

By WILLIAM HARTSON

PUBLISHED: 00:16, Wed, Jan 29, 2014

The palace was built in 1705 as the town house of the Duke of Buckingham [GETTY]

1. Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Britain's monarchs since 1837.

2. The palace has 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

3. The postcode for the Palace is SW1A 1AA. That of 10 Downing Street is SW1A 2AA.

4. The palace was built in 1705 as the town house of the Duke of Buckingham.

5. It was known as Buckingham House but was bought by George III for wife Queen Charlotte, when it became known as “The Queen’s House”.

6. Fourteen of Queen Charlotte’s 15 children were born in Buckingham Palace.

7. Edward Jones, known as “the boy Jones”, broke into the palace three times between 1838 and 1841.

8. After his first break-in, aged 14, he was captured by the police in nearby St James’s St with Queen Victoria’s underwear stuffed down his trousers.

9. When the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace was opened in 1856, it was the largest room in London.

10. There are 1,514 doors and 760 windows in the palace. The windows are cleaned every six weeks.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Queen Elizabeth II was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926

To parents the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)

2. She was crowned Queen on 2 June 1953

Watched by a TV audience of 20 million people

3. She is the longest reigning monarch ever in Britain

Beating even Queen Victoria (her great-grandma!)

4. As Queen, she has seen 12 UK Prime Ministers come to power

5. Her favourite dogs are corgis

She even invented a new breed of dog when her corgi mated with a dachshund belonging to her sister, Princess Margaret, creating the “dorgi”.

6. She’s the only person in the UK allowed to drive without a licence

And she still drives to this day!

7. The Queen has two birthdays

Her actual birthday – 21 April – and her official birthday, which is held on a Saturday in June – when the weather’s better!

8. The Queen’s birthplace is now a fancy Cantonese restaurant

Called Hakkasan, at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair – we hope she likes a takeaway!

9. The Queen first sent an email in 1976!

10. She has many hobbies

Including horse riding, pigeon racing, and football – she’s an Arsenal supporter!

11. Queen Elizabeth became a homeowner at just six years old

When the people of Wales gifted her a house in the grounds of Windsor’s Royal Lodge. Named Y Bwthyn Bach, it means “little cottage”.

12. The Queen has sent around 50,000 Christmas cards

– and counting!

13. She owns an elephant, two giant turtles, a jaguar and a pair of sloths

Presents from other countries, all of which live in London Zoo.

14. Princess Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast in October 1940, during the Second World War.

15. Even the monarch can go undercover sometimes

On a recent low-key trip to Scotland, she met some American tourists while walking. Asked if she lived round here, she mentioned that she had a house nearby, and when asked if she’d ever met the Queen she simply pointed at her policeman and said, “No, but he has!”

What do you think of our facts about the Queen? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

# data[].attributes.headline
Your Complete Guide to the British Royal Family Tree and Line of Succession

# data[].attributes.subject
Your Complete Guide to the British Royal Family Tree and Line of Succession

# data[].attributes.body
By KATE SAMUELSON Updated: April 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET | Originally published: April 23, 2018

The British royal family tree and line of succession is going through some changes. In May alone, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were married while Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a royal baby boy, Prince Louis.

While Queen Eliabeth, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George are fairly easily to place in the rather complicated British royal family tree, where do royals like Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall and Prince Edward come into the picture? If you can’t get your head around the head-scratch-worthy royal family tree, don’t be too hard on yourself. The most famous family in Britain is notoriously a complicated one, with a few divorces, second marriages and name repetitions.

To make matters even more complicated, the British royal line of succession is also pretty complex. Until fairly recently, the line of succession followed a system of male preference primogeniture — where princes took precedence over their older sisters. However, the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act amended the system so that males no longer take precedence over their older sisters. This is why, though Kate Middleton and Prince William’s third child is a boy, Princess Charlotte will remain fourth in line to the throne and won’t be bumped down to fifth place.

So, for those of you struggling to determine between your Prince Philips and your Peter Phillips, here is a complete look at the British royal family tree and the equally mind-muddling line of succession.

Queen Elizabeth: On the throne

Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives at Tweedbank Station on September 9, 2015 in Tweedbank, Scotland.

Chris Jackson—Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II is the world’s longest reigning monarch and has been on the throne for a whopping 66 years. She sits at the top of the British royal family tree, boasting four children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren — with another two on the way. Many will be familiar with the Queen’s life story thanks to the popular Netflix series The Crown, which has so far chronicled her life from pre-coronation through her late 30s.

The Queen’s husband Prince Phillip (also known as the Duke of Edinburgh) married into the royal family, therefore he’s next to Queen Elizabeth at the top of the royal family tree but not included in the royal line of succession.

Prince Charles: First in line to the throne

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales

Prince Charles, who turns 70 this year, will inherit the crown when his 92-year-old mother Queen Elizabeth passes away. Charles, whose official title is the Prince of Wales, is the first child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on the royal family tree, and an older brother to Princess Anne (known as the Princess Royal), Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. He is also the father of Princes William and Harry, who he had with his first wife, the late Princess Diana.

Prince William: Second in line to the throne

Prince William

Thirty-five-year-old Prince William is second in line to the throne, under his father, Prince Charles, on the royal family tree. His mother was the late Diana Spencer (known as Diana, Princess of Wales), and he is married to the non-royal Kate Middleton. Following in the footsteps of his mother, Prince William is heavily involved with hundreds of charities, from his spearheading of the mental health initiative Heads Together to his work as a patron for Centrepoint, a charity which supports homeless young people. Since 2010, Prince William has been President of BAFTA (the British equivalent of the Oscars), supporting its award ceremonies and various charitable activities that include promoting emerging talent from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

Prince George: Third in line to the throne

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George

Cheeky Prince George is third in line to the throne, just under his father, Prince William on the British royal family tree. Despite being only four years old, the young prince has already accompanied his parents on various royal duties including a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia in 2014 and an official visit to Canada in 2016. George, known as Prince George of Cambridge, made headlines around the world when he began kindergarten in 2016. He’s also expected to be part of his uncle Prince Harry’s royal wedding to Meghan Markle this May.

Princess Charlotte: Fourth in line to the throne

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

Prince George’s younger sister Charlotte sits next to her brother George on the royal family tree, but just under him in the line of succession. Princess Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne, and even if her upcoming younger royal sibling is a boy, he will not replace her in the line of succession thanks to the new rules. Princess Charlotte, aged two, enjoyed her first family holiday in 2016 — when she went skiing and played in the snow in the French Alps.

Prince Louis: Fifth in line to the throne

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge departs the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital with her newborn baby son on April 23, 2018 in London, England. The Duchess delivered a boy at 11:01 am, weighing 8lbs 7oz, who will be fifth in line to the throne.

Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Prince Louis, the third child of Prince William and Kate Middleton is fifth in line to the throne, bumping Prince Harry down to sixth position. Middleton gave birth to the royal baby boy on Monday, April 23, and the royal family released his name, Louis Arthur Charles, on Friday. Despite the newborn being a boy, he has not replaced elder sister Princess Charlotte thanks to the recent change in the rules of the line of succession.

Prince Harry: Sixth in line to the throne

Prince Harry during the 'Walk Of America' launch at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 11, 2018 in London, England.

Chris Jackson—Getty Images

It’s very unlikely that Prince Harry, 33, will ever be king, given his lowly sixth position in the line of succession behind George, Charlotte and the upcoming royal baby number three (though he’s next to his brother, Prince William, on the royal family tree). That said, he’s clearly got bigger things on his mind than ascending the throne. Harry is involved in several charitable initiatives, including mental health campaigns, The Invictus Games and conservation projects in Africa. He’s also recently married Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in a highly-anticipated royal wedding (for which he also received the title Duke of Sussex from Queen Elizabeth).

Prince Andrew: Seventh in line to the throne

Prince Andrew, Duke of York points his finger as he speaks to business leaders during a reception at the sideline of the World Economic Forum on January 22, 2015 in Davos Switzerland.

Michel Euler/WPA Pool—Getty Images

Prince Andrew, better known as the Duke of York, sits under Queen Elizabeth on the royal family tree as her second-eldest son. At the time of his birth, Andrew was second in line to the throne, but he’s since moved to seventh place. Prince Andrew was previously married to Sarah Ferguson, known as ‘Fergie’. In January 2015, Prince Andrew faced allegations of sexual impropriety, which Buckingham Palace has denied.

Princess Beatrice: Eighth in line to the throne

Princess Beatrice of York attends Mazi's Summer Party with guest of honor Eugenie Niarchos, Venyx World, on June 24, 2014 in London, England.

David M. Benett—2014 David M. Benett

Princess Beatrice of York is the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. The 29-year-old is perhaps best known for her extravagant headwear (the hat she wore at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 spawned its own Facebook page with thousands of likes.

Princess Eugenie: Ninth in line to the throne

Princess Eugenie of York watches the racing as she attends Day 1 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 17, 2014 in Ascot, England.

Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Princess Eugenie is the younger sister of Princess Beatrice. The 28-year-old is the latest member of the Royal Family to get engaged, to Jack Brooksbank, the former manager of an upper-class nightclub, whom she met on a skiing trip. Eugenie’s engagement ring features a pink-hued padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds. In an interview with the BBC, she said the proposal, which took place in Nicaragua, was a “complete surprise.”

Prince Edward: 10th in line to the throne

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attend a gala fundraising dinner on the Isle of Wight on March 27, 2014 in Cowes, England.

Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Prince Edward, also known as the Earl of Wessex, is the Queen and Prince Philip’s youngest child, sitting next to Princes Charles and Edward on the royal family tree. Edward takes precedence over his elder sister Anne in the line of succession because the new rules that could affect Princess Charlotte only apply to males born after October 28, 2011. Edward is married to Sophie Rhys-Jones, who worked in public relations. The pair have two children: James, Viscount Severn, and Lady Louise Windsor.

James, Viscount Severn: 11th in line to the throne

James Viscount Severn attends The Royal Windsor Horse Show on May 14, 2016 in Windsor, England.

Mark Cuthbert—UK Press via Getty Images

Just when you thought the names of the British royal family couldn’t get any posher, James, Viscount Severn comes along. The 10-year-old is the youngest child of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones on the royal family tree, but takes precedence over his elder sister, Lady Louise Windsor in the royal line of succession. Because his father is an Earl, James has taken on the subsidiary title of Viscount Severn, rather than Prince.

Lady Louise Windsor: 12th in line to the throne

Lady Louise Windsor seen carriage driving as she takes part in The Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society on day 5 of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park on May 14, 2017 in Windsor, England.

Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Fourteen-year-old Lady Louise Windsor is twelfth in line to the throne, following her brother James, who she sits next to on the royal family tree. The teenager, who was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, was born a month prematurely and delivered by emergency Caesarian section. In an interview with the BBC in 2016, her mother, the Countess of Wessex, revealed that Louise did not realize her grandmother was the Queen until it was pointed out to her at school.

Anne, Princess Royal: 13th in line to the throne

Princess Anne, Princess Royal attends day 1 'Champion Day' of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2018 in Cheltenham, England.

Max Mumby/Indigo—Getty Images

Anne, a keen and talented equestrian, is the second child of the Queen and Prince Philip, sitting next to her brothers, Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward on the royal family tree. She is known as the Princess Royal — a title often awarded by a British ruler to their eldest daughter. The 67-year-old is involved with more than 300 charities and has been President of Save the Children U.K. since 1970. Anne has two children, Peter and Zara, with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. She divorced Mark Phillips in 1992 and has been married to retired British naval officer Sir Timothy Laurence since the same year.

# data[].attributes.headline
10 Facts About the Royal Family That Will Make You Say ‘What?!’

# data[].attributes.subject
10 Facts About the Royal Family That Will Make You Say ‘What?!’

# data[].attributes.body
CULTURE

By Meghan McKenna Date August 1, 2017

The Royal family—they’re just like us!

LOL just kidding, just because they dad dance and wear Zara every once in a while doesn’t mean these people are anything like us common folk. Britain has a monarchy because it’s tradition, and so the Royal family would be nothing if not for the traditions they meticulously keep. Some of these rules and customs are charming and cute, while others are downright morbid and mean.

Take notes, Meghan Markle. Here are some of the weird and wacky things you might be getting yourself into. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

They always travel with black clothing

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTIAN CHARISIUS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

According to The Independent, the Royal fam is required to pack a black ensemble in their bag every time they travel abroad. Because, you know, somebody might die while they’re away, and they need to make sure their outfit matches the mood when they arrive on home soil. Pretty morbid, but very practical.

The Queen has been wearing the same $8 nail polish since 1989

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES

Essie’s “Ballet Slippers” nail polish has long been a favourite of blogger, celebs, normal people—and the Queen of England. According to the Essie website, in 1989 Queen Elizabeth’s hairdresser sent the company a letter requesting a bottle of “the only colour Her Majesty would wear.”

They aren’t allowed to play Monopoly

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATE GILLON/GETTY IMAGES

Back in 2008, Prince Andrew was presented with the board game Monopoly. The gift giver likely didn’t anticipate the Royal’s odd response to the kind gesture: “We’re not allowed to play Monopoly at home,” Prince Andrew disclosed. Why? Well, apparently “it gets too vicious.”

The Queen uses her purse to send secret signals

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

“It would be very worrying if you were talking to the Queen and saw the handbag move from one hand to the other,” Royal Historian Hugo Vickers told People. Apparently, this subtle signal is how the Queen indicates to her staff that she’s ready to wrap up her current conversation.

They don’t have a last name

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GETTY

Merry Christmas from…”The Royals?” There’s a reason why you don’t hear Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s last name—they, uh, don’t really have one. *Technically*, since 1960, the Royal last name has been Mountbatten-Windsor, which is a compound of the Royal house name and Prince Philip’s pre-monarchy surname.

They aren’t supposed to eat shellfish

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES

There is an old rule in England that the Royal family is never served shellfish in order to avoid food poisoning. Prince Charles doesn’t follow this rule, because does he really follow any rules (cough Camilla)?

The Queen doesn’t need a driver’s license

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARL DE SOUZA/GETTY IMAGES

At 91 years old, Her Majesty has never needed to take a driving test—and that’s her “royal prerogative.” Queen Elizabeth trained as a driver and a mechanic during the Second World War, so even as an unlicensed 91-year-old she’s probably a better driver than you or I.

They aren’t allowed to touch commoners

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES

Historically, it’s been widely understood that members of the public can only touch members of the Royal family with a formal handshake. But the protocol is sometimes broken—like in this picture of Prince William greeting New Zealand’s former Governor General Sir Paul Reeves in the traditional Maori way.

The Queen drinks 4 cocktails every day

PHOTOGRAPHY BY YUI MOK – WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES

Yaaaas Queen. Her Majesty is know to indulge in chocolate cake, champagne before bed and finger sandwiches with the crust cut off. Check out our full food (and beverage!) diary for Queen Elizabeth here.

Prince Harry’s real name is Henry

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAX