With a couple of British royal weddings in the pipeline this year (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank), we can’t help but wonder how the lives of Meghan and Jack will change after their weddings. With all the rules and regulations, we’ve come up with seven reasons why we wouldn’t want to marry into the British royal family.
Pin this article for later! For more, follow Good Housekeeping on Pinterest.
1. The Queen has the last word
Most couples seek the blessing of their parents, but for the royal family, the Queen has to give the couple permission to marry. Without her permission, there can be no marriage. With both Meghan Markle and Jack Brooksbank being commoners, Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie of York had to get the Queen’s permission before they even thought about getting engaged.
2. A title is not promised
Marrying into a royal family does not mean you will definitely become a king, queen or even a princess. Kate Middleton became the Duchess of Cambridge and not a princess. It is likely, however, that she will become queen should William become king, so maybe it’s worth it in the long term….
3. There will be no more nicknames
Once you’re married and officially have your royal title, you are no longer to be addressed by your common name. Royals are to be addressed as ‘His/Her royal highness…’ or just simply ‘Sir/Ma’am’.
4. Royalty is a way of life
Being a royal is all about rank. Royals have to stand in order of ranking at all public occasions where the royal family is seen or pictured together. The Queen is to stand front and centre, then Prince Charles and Camilla, and then Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
5. You can no longer have a day job
With royalty being a way of life, there is no room for a day job. Being a royal is the job. While some royals have been able to hold careers in the past, it is highly unlikely that Meghan Markle will be ‘allowed’ to continue her acting endeavours once she marries Prince Harry.
6. No politics are allowed
The royal family have a strict ban on any political involvement. When you marry into it you are not to be affiliated with any political party or agenda. While the royal family are allowed to vote, it is considered ‘unconstitutional’ for any member of the family to vote in an election.
7. You’ll have to say goodbye to Monopoly
If you’ve ever pictured yourself playing the classic board game Monopoly with your in-laws, you can forget about that if you marry into the British royal family. In 2008 Prince Charles’s younger brother, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, revealed that the royal family had banned the game of Monopoly at home because it reportedly became ‘too vicious’. It may sound silly to us common folk, but it’s definitely not a game of royal etiquette.
PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images
ALSO READ:
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding location and date were just announced
Here are some of the questions Meghan Markle will have to answer in her citizenship test
15 photos that show what Princess Diana was like before being royal
