Where Do the Royals Shop? British Monarchy's Dress Code Revealed

When should a lady wear gloves? How old do you have to be to leave short trousers? And when is it inappropriate to turn up in military attire?

Not concerns for everyone, but all vital questions if your job consists largely of looking appropriate in photographs. That's why, the BBC has revealed, the British royal family tries to keep to a dress code to cover every occasion.

Here's four rules the family follows when appearing in public:

Hat or Tiara?

The Queen is known for her collection of elaborate hats. And according to etiquette experts who spoke to the BBC, they're required dress for formal occasions.

"Up until the 1950s, ladies were very seldom seen without a hat as it was not considered 'the thing' for ladies to show their hair in public.

"But all that has changed and hats are now reserved for more formal occasions," said Diana Mather, a senior tutor for The English Manner etiquette consultancy.

The exception, though, is when a formal event takes place in the evening. Then, the Queen is often seen sporting a tiara.

"The old rule is that hats are never worn indoors after 6pm, because that is when the ladies changed into evening dress, and tiaras and the family jewels would come out," said Mather.

"Flashy diamonds and tiaras are not worn during the day, and only married ladies wear tiaras."

That second rule explains why you never used to see Kate Middleton, now the wife of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, in a tiara. Only married women and members of the royal family get to wear them.

Smart casual

In 2017, we don't want our royals to be constantly overdressed. Part of the appeal of William and Kate is that they look like a "normal" young couple—albeit one that lives in a multimillion dollar palace.

At the same time, though, whatever they wear behind closed doors, the couple aren't ever seen in public slumming about in sweatpants. A code governs their casual day to day dress too.

William usually wears a collared shirt, often with a blazer, while Kate would wear a day dress or trousers paired with a jacket or cardigan.

On parade

You'll sometimes see images of both William and his brother Harry wearing military dress uniform.

Both men have served in the military and are attached to particular regiments.

Usually, you will see formal military dress come out when a royal is attending a military event representing their regiment, such as ceremonies to honor fallen soldiers.

But William also chose to represent the Irish Guards—of which he is a colonel—at his wedding by wearing its red uniform.

And the kids…

Even Prince George, Kate and William's three year old son, isn't exempt from the rules.

He's often seen in public wearing short pants.

Etiquette expert Grant Harrold, known as The Royal Butler, told the BBC this dates from a 16th century tradition, "breeching", that entreated young boys wear gowns. This was updated to short pants in the 19th century.