World

Why are the heirs to the British throne forbidden from calling their parents "mom" and "dad"?

Why are British royal heirs forbidden from calling their parents "mom" and "dad"?

Many traditions are observed in the royal family. Sometimes, certain prohibitions greatly surprise royal fans.

For instance, many find the requirement regarding how children of the Windsor dynasty must address their parents particularly interesting. This requirement of palace protocol applies to everyone from King Charles III to Princes William and Harry, as well as other members of the younger generation.

Always striving to maintain the image of conservative and conscientious Britons, members of the royal family try to adhere to the strict rules imposed on them for centuries. For example, representatives of the monarchical dynasty are very rarely seen in dresses above the knee and without tights. Children also often appear in public in traditional clothing: shorts and long socks for boys, and traditional dresses for girls.

However, although the dress code for the youth in the royal family is not separately specified, their behavior is clearly influenced by palace protocol. Hierarchy is of great importance in the palace, and teaching the structure of the royal family is preferred from the youngest age. Showing respect to those of higher status is instilled in young Windsors through upbringing from childhood.

The protocol also states that royal officials must refrain from tactile contact and excessive displays of emotion. Couples are not recommended to use nicknames when addressing each other at events. Another rule regulates how royal children address their parents.

Instead, they must use the polite words "mummy" and "daddy". The former Prince of Wales and current King addressed his late mother in exactly this way.

Cookies on xabarchi

We use cookies to remember your language and theme, and to count how many people are reading right now — that count is anonymous, lasts only while your browser is open, and cannot be tied to you or to another visit. With your permission we also measure how the site is read: Microsoft Clarity, which records page views and on-page interactions, and our own count of returning readers. Nothing that recognises you across visits is measured until you accept.