Simply Bizarre: These Crazy Dining Rules Apply to the Royals

In the British royal family, etiquette doesn’t end at the dining room door. Even at the table, there are clear guidelines that family members and guests are expected to follow. Some rules seem traditional, while others are almost curious. It’s not just about clothing, cutlery, or napkins, but also about certain foods that are never served in the first place.

Especially during official engagements, it’s crucial that everything runs smoothly and that awkward moments are avoided. Even small gestures, such as stirring tea, follow a set pattern. Here are the royal family’s quirkiest dining rules.

One of the best-known rules is the ban on shellfish. The reason is health-related: the risk of food poisoning must be kept as low as possible given the tight schedule. Garlic was also discouraged at the palace during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Former chefs also reported that onions were used very sparingly.

Another clear stance emerged regarding foie gras (force-fed goose or duck liver). The dish was considered problematic due to the way it is produced, which is why Charles forbade his kitchens from purchasing it. These bans are therefore based not only on personal preferences but also on concerns for health and animal welfare.

One Christmas custom of the royals is particularly unusual: Before and after the festive meal, guests are weighed. The tradition dates back to Edward VII and was intended to show whether the guests had truly enjoyed the meal. Anyone who weighed a little more after dinner had, in effect, proven that the meal had been a generous one.

Less eccentric, but just as strict, is the dress code. Even for dinner, guests dress up, sometimes in festive gowns, with fine china on the table. According to Marie Claire, former court chef Darren McGrady described this atmosphere as a dinner straight out of "Downton Abbey".

It’s not just the menu—every sound at the table matters, too. The clatter of cutlery on nearly empty plates is considered undesirable, even if a minor mishap might be forgiven. The proper handling of glasses and napkins is regulated just as strictly. When drinking, you should always use the same spot on the glass whenever possible to avoid leaving visible lipstick marks all around it.

Shortly after sitting down, the napkin is placed on the lap; with larger napkins, it is neatly folded. At the end of the meal, it is not carelessly left on the table, but neatly placed to the left of the place setting. It is precisely these details that show how strongly etiquette and discipline shape the course of the meal.

There are also clear rules for afternoon tea. The teacup is not held with the little finger extended, but rather guided steadily by the handle. In addition, there is a quiet technique for stirring: the spoon should not be swirled around, so that nothing spills over and there is no clinking against the rim of the cup.

Etiquette becomes particularly important when the monarch is seated at the table. In that case, the entire meal proceeds at the monarch’s pace. “When dining with Her Majesty, no one should begin until she begins eating,” William Hanson said, according to the Daily Express. Likewise, the meal ends for everyone as soon as the monarch places her cutlery in the final position.