6 things you need to know if you want to date a royal

Just because the world’s most eligible bachelor is now engaged, it doesn’t mean you can’t set your sights royally high...
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Six decades ago, American actress Grace Kelly left the Hollywood lights behind when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco to become Princess Grace of Monaco.

Now, as if history is repeating itself, gorgeous American actress Meghan Markle has quit her long-running show, Suits, to be with the love of her life – Prince Harry.

And while this means Prince Harry is now off the market for good (cue the sound of hearts breaking worldwide), there is still a slew of eligible royals looking for 'the one'.

Prince Harry has broken a number of traditions royals generally follow when dating, one being that his soon-to-be-wife is not British.

As William Hanson, a leading etiquette coach told the Standard: "It's the first time in our recent royal family that this has really happened. It is not unusual for British royals to marry royals from foreign nations but marrying a non-royal foreigner is rare.”

So if you do happen to meet a Royal like Denmark’s Princess Mary did in a pub in Australia or Sweden’s Princess Sofia did at a beach resort, here are six tips you need to follow when dating them.

1. Make sure you know what you're signing up for

During Harry and Meghan's interview last night, she was asked if she knew what she had signed up for and responded that when the relationship began to get serious, Harry sat her down and explained everything to her.

Hanson added: "This is not a normal job or a normal position, you need to know this and hope that it all goes well."

2. Limit public displays of affection

While we saw Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding hands during their photo call and their interview, before this they had shown little affection in public – as have Kate, William and the rest of the royal family. So follow their lead.

Hanson explained: "Nowadays, holding hands is fairly commonplace with royal couples with Catherine, William, Harry and Meghan - it's not really an issue."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in first public appearance together

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3. Know how to address your other half’s family

While Harry calls the Queen ‘Granny’ you would be expected to address her as ‘Your Majesty’ and then ‘ma’am’ and all other members of the royal family as ‘Your Royal Highness’ followed by ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’.

"It's not like joining a normal family," Hanson explained. "Meghan will have to use 'Your Majesty' and 'ma’am', she will have to remember the protocol, history and heritage."

4. Discretion is key

As much as we can't get enough of the royal's private lives, that is exactly what they are - private. So if you are dating a royal you cannot talk about this publicly.

Hanson said: "Discretion is key with any member of the royal family and they will be looking for people who are not gold diggers and who are there for the right reasons."

5. You should expect to change the way you dress

Over the next few months/years/decades we will probably see Meghan’s style evolve from California chic to Royal luxe. Meghan's go-to ripped jeans will need to be swapped for a more conservative look, taking notes from the Duchess of Cambridge, wear knee-length dresses, sensible shoes and a variety of block colours.

6. Be actively involved in charity work

As Meghan said in the interview, their bond over charity work is what got them to date two.

Hanson added: "The British Royal family operate differently to others in that there is an emphasis on chaitable duties.

"This is something Meghan was already doing. She's already heavily involved in women's rights which is new and exciting territory for the royal family and she brings relatability, even more so than the Duchess of Cambridge."

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