An Ultimate Guide to Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About the British Royal Family

Updated on 2/11/2019 at 9:15 AM

Interest in the British royal family rose when Kate Middleton tied the knot with Prince William, but it has certainly hit a fever pitch thanks to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. But how much do you really know about the royal family? No need to answer out loud. From a breakdown of the Windsor family tree to the line of succession to every wild rule royals must follow, here is your ultimate guide to everything you've ever wanted to know about the British royal family.

Current Members of the British Royal Family

By now, you're probably familiar with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry, but what about the rest of the Windsor family tree? From their place in line for the throne to their ties to Queen Elizabeth II, here is your guide to every single member of the British royal family.

Royal Titles

The Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex, the Duchess of Cornwall — we get it, royal titles can be confusing! Luckily, our handy guide explains the differences between a king and queen, a duke and duchess, and a prince and princess.

Family Facts

Do you consider yourself a diehard fan of the British royal family? Well, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Like, did you know that Prince William once stood up Britney Spears? Or that Prince Charles actually met Princess Diana when he was dating her older sister? Yep, there are lot of little known facts that will fascinate you.

Line of Succession

It's no secret that Queen Elizabeth II has been prepping Prince Charles to be the next king of England, but who will inherit the throne after him? In 2018, Prince Louis's birth caused Prince Harry to move down a spot, but the line of succession has a lot more people than you'd expect — 17, to be exact.

Where Does the Royal Family Live?

While Kensington Palace may be the family's most popular residence, not every royal member lives there. Take, for instance, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who reside at Buckingham Palace, and Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who call Clarence House home.

Family Rules

Being a royal may seem glamorous and all, but there plenty of rules that come with the crown. While some of them make total sense — like two direct heirs are not allowed to travel together, and royals are prohibited from signing autographs — others are pretty wild. But hey, if Queen Elizabeth II says . . .

Royal Myths

Even though the royal family does have a lot of rules, they're not all as strict as you think. In fact, some of them aren't even true! For instance, there is no such rule that states that touching royalty is forbidden. However, there is a code of etiquette that one must adhere to.

Family Traditions

After witnessing Meghan Markle's incredible journey to becoming a royal, it's become clear that the royal family is big on tradition. From customs governing who they can and can't marry to why Queen Elizabeth II doesn't celebrate her birthday on her actual birthday, there are so many traditions and protocols you probably aren't even aware of.

Baby Traditions

While we're on the topic of traditions, now that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting their first child, there are certain traditions the couple has to adhere to. That's right — royal protocol will dictate the baby's birth announcement, where the baby is born, and even the baby's last name.

Marriage Rules

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding may have been straight out a fairy tale, but let's not forget that none of it would have been possible without Queen Elizabeth II's written approval. Because of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, the reigning monarch is required to give formal consent to any family marriages, but can also veto them if they could potentially "diminish the status of the royal house."

Divorce Rules

Just like there are marriage rules, there is also a strict protocol royals must follow when getting divorced. Because of the brood's affiliation with the Church of England, divorces are a bit more scandalous and they include a negotiation of titles. While there is no official rule that states that the monarch has to give their approval, the queen has been involved in one way or another in the past. Divorce is even more complicated when you're royalty.

Royal Engagements

The world was elated when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement in November 2017, but there were actually A LOT of things that happened before the announcement was ever made. Of course, there was the usual stuff, like meeting the parents and selecting a ring, but there were also a few other formalities that only apply to royals.

Royal Weddings

Up next is the royal wedding! As we witnessed with Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials, there are a ton of important and unusual details that go into planning the lavish affair. From the guest list to the carriage to the viewing parties, royal weddings are so grand, they're more like award ceremonies, if anything.

Official Events

Given the high number of engagements, tours, and traditions royals have, the family operates on a strict calendar. While a lot of their work commitments generally don't happen at the same time every year, there are a handful of other important events — like Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot, and Remembrance Service — that do.

Royal Patronages

Meghan Markle's first royal patronages were announced this year, but if you're still confused as to what a patronage is, we've got you covered. The palace defines the custom as a royal lending their name to an organization or charity and offering their support. Fun fact: the royal family has 576 patronages relating to the armed services altogether.

Rules Around Royals Serving in the Military

If you've been keeping up with the royals, you're probably already aware that Prince Harry and Prince William served in the military. Not only is it permitted for royals, but it's actually expected of the highest-ranked men. The tradition dates back centuries, and all of Queen Elizabeth II's sons — Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward — have military experience.

Rules to Meeting the Royal Family

If you're ever blessed with the chance to meet a member of the royal family, there are a couple of important things you should know. First off, keep your hands to yourself. Royal protocol states that greetings should not go beyond a handshake, though a small curtsy or neck bow is preferred. Next, there are formal ways to address each member. For instance, the queen is "your majesty" and afterwards, "ma'am."

Where Does the Royal Family's Money Come From?

OK, we know the royal family is rich, but where does their money and wealth actually come from? Well, most of their money is inherited, but there are three different ways the family makes their money every year. Do you know what they are?

Does the Royal Family Pay Taxes?

Even though the royal family is legally exempt from paying taxes, they do so anyway. Yep, even royalty has to manage their finances like the rest of the world. So, how does royalty get taxed? Well, that's a different story.

Royal Staff

Being a royal isn't easy, but thankfully, the family has a huge staff that supports them. From private secretaries to personal assistants to dressers, the brood has an entire team that is responsible for all of their important day-to-day operations. Let's meet them.