5 interesting royal tidbits from the new Queen of the World documentary

It’s safe to say Royal Family fever has hit a peak in 2018. 

With the arrival of a new prince, and one royal wedding behind us - with another to come next month - the world has been captivated by the monarchy’s movements and new members.

So, it’s no wonder a new documentary about the British royals has drawn plenty of interest.

Meghan snuck a subtle tribute to America into her wedding outfit

Ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, Meghan Markle was adamant there should be a nod to the Commonwealth nations in her bridal ensemble.

The actress and Givenchy designer Clare Waight Keller hatched the idea of embroidering wildflowers from each of the 53 nations into her 16-foot veil - including Australia’s wattle.

However, the royal bride was also mindful of including her own homeland in the mix.

Royal tours are kept to a strict schedule... so you'd better eat quickly

The royal yachtsman aboard Britannia, Queen Elizabeth’s former royal yacht, said there were rather strict practices in place to ensure the royal tours ran to schedule.

This even applied to meals on board, which would sometimes be wrapped up prematurely.

“Sometimes if we were rushing - either we had to go ashore or it was the next engagement - if the Queen had finished eating, we had to clear the [dining room] away regardless of whether [everyone else] had finished or not. 'Sorry! It’s gotta go!'” he explained.

The menu would also be shaped by Her Majesty, who would receive a copy of each one for her approval.

“She’d cross out if she didn’t want something and then write in herself what she wanted …  then it would be a frantic running around, ‘She’s changed the menu!’” a chef on the ship explained.

Princess Anne won't shake hands while on public walkabouts

The “walkabout”, in which royals stop to greet members of the public who have gathered to see them, is a staple of royal tours these days, but that wasn’t always the case.

Reflecting on the early days of the practice in the 1970s, Princess Anne explained there was a rule in place regarding how the greeting should go: the royals never shook hands.

“The theory was that you can’t shake hands with everybody, so don’t start,” the Princess Royal said.

Though that rule has softened over the years - these days, it’s common for royals to shake hands with members of the public - Princess Anne has stuck to her guns.

“It’s not for me to say that it’s wrong, but … it seems to me that it’s become a shaking hands exercise rather than a walkabout,” she adds.

The royals have personal flags in Canada

In Canada, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and each of their four children have their own approved personal flags called Royal Standards.

There’s also a general one that can be used by Royal Family members who don’t have an individual flag.

During one of Prince Charles’ Canadian tours featured in the documentary, pilots of an Canadian Air Force jet explained how they used his Royal Standard during the visit.

Meghan Markle’s biracial heritage has significance to the public

When Meghan Markle wed Prince Harry, she became the first biracial member of the British monarchy.

The former Suits star’s mother, Doria Ragland, is African-American, while her father, Thomas Markle Sr, is white.

During the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s appearance at the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception, a young man of colour reflected on why her role is important.