Really Bizarre: George, Charlotte, and Louis Must Follow These 9 Rules

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are enjoying a very special childhood as members of the British royal family. But that comes with a few rules that may seem pretty bizarre to most people. Did you know that?

Like all other members of the royal family, the children must learn to curtsy when they are in the king's presence. Royal expert Marlene Koenig told Hello! that they should have mastered the curtsy "by the age of five."

Even when it comes to food, the royal children have to live with certain restrictions. For all members of the royal family, raw meat, spicy foods, and shellfish may only be consumed in private—and even then, only if they have been prepared by their own personal chef. At public events, this is prohibited due to the increased risk of food poisoning.

Although it is not a requirement rooted in tradition, like many other rules, learning a second or third language is something many royals choose to do. To that end, they hire people who speak a different native language or study in another country.

To maintain the line of succession and protect the monarchy in the worst-case scenario, young children are not actually allowed to travel with their parents. Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, has nevertheless flown on an airplane with Prince George on several occasions. Prince George is currently third in line to the throne. However, for this to be possible, William always had to obtain the express permission of the Queen or the King.

Given the royal family's expectations, this is pretty obvious: royal children must be trained so they know how to behave. Myka Meier of Beaumont Etiquette told People that the little ones begin their training "as soon as they are old enough."

The royal children learn from an early age that they are constantly under public scrutiny and are photographed. Selfies, on the other hand, are forbidden among the royals. Neither the adult family members nor the children are allowed to sign autographs.

Before they turn eight, royal boys are required to wear certain items of clothing, including shorts, which is why Princes George and Louis have often been seen wearing them. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty, explained: “Upper-class boys wear shorts until they’re eight years old. That’s very English.” But there’s also a dress code for the girls: dresses, tights, and strappy sandals are meant to convey traditional values. You won’t find colorful T-shirts with prints on the little royals.

It is important that the royal children be baptized. The water used for this is specially imported from the Jordan River and poured into a vessel made specifically for this purpose, which the family has used for royal baptisms since 1841. The royal children are baptized in the United Kingdom in the family’s traditional christening gown, a tradition that Diana also continued. While William and Harry were baptized in the original christening gown, George, Charlotte, and Louis were baptized in a replica gown, as the original had become too delicate.

According to a 2014 CNBC report, Prince George received a total of 774 gifts that year alone. Unfortunately, the royal children are not allowed to keep any of the gifts they receive—whether clothing, games, toys, or anything that isn’t consumable. The only exception is flowers, which the royals are allowed to keep as gifts.