Top 30+ things King Charles can do that you can't

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

King Charles III has lived a long life observing the rules and restrictions that come with the role of a reigning monarch. And while there are many things he isn't allowed to do, being the monarch comes with some surprising perks that no one else has, including the rest of the royal family.

Want to discover the exclusive privileges of the man sitting on Britain's throne? Then check out this gallery.

Go without a last name

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

The British royal family's official last name is Windsor. But when the monarch inherited the throne, he left it behind and took on the title King Charles III. 

Drive a car without a license

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

Usually, the King is chauffeured to engagements, but occasionally he likes to get behind the wheel. And he can do so without a driver's license.

Decide the royal dress code

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

There are a lot of fashion rules for the royal family to follow, and the King himself has the final say. Some guidelines are based on the late Queen's personal preferences, but now Charles can decide if he wants to wear an Indiana Jones hat, for example.

Avoid getting arrested

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

The King doesn't ever have to worry about getting locked up. He has sovereign immunity, and therefore can never be prosecuted.

Access to all the royal residences

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

While the official residence is Buckingham Palace, the King (and Queen) can split his time between several royal residences.

Drive without a license plate

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

You can easily spot a vehicle belonging to the King. It will be the only car on the road without a license plate, and probably there will also be police escorts nearby.

Own unclaimed swans in the UK

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

Dating back to the 12th century, the monarch is technically the owner of any and all unclaimed swans swimming in open waters in the UK.

Have his face on the British currency

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

King Charles III is pictured on the newly issued British currency.

Declare war

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

Another special power granted to the King is that he can declare war and peace. He can also send troops to an area of armed conflict.

Choose the royal menu

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

Anything the King wants to eat (or drink) is available to him.

Decide what jewelry is loaned out

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

For formal occasions, such as state dinners and royal weddings, the King decides which jewels and tiaras from the late Queen's collection can be loaned to family members.

Decide when dinner ends

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

According to royal etiquette, when the King is done with his dinner, the meal is officially over. So you better eat quickly at Buckingham Palace!

Give out knighthoods

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

The King can grant a knighthood to any citizen for their achievements or service to their country. The ceremony, known as an investiture, takes place at Buckingham Palace.

Have a private ATM

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

Imagine never having to rush to an ATM before closing time... That's the case for the King, as he has a private ATM in the basement of Buckingham Palace. Provided by the British bank, Coutts, it's only available to the royal family.

Keep his finances private

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

The King and the royal family are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, which grants the British public the ability to access any information held by the government. However, the royals do disclose their use of public money each year.

Open Parliament

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

The monarch is more than just a symbolic figurehead in government. One of his many duties as the head of stead is to lead the State Opening of Parliament each year.

Go without a last name, Drive a car without a license, Decide the royal dress code, Avoid getting arrested, Access to all the royal residences, Drive without a license plate, Own unclaimed swans in the UK, Have his face on the British currency, Declare war, Choose the royal menu, Decide what jewelry is loaned out, Decide when dinner ends, Give out knighthoods, Have a private ATM, Keep his finances private, Open Parliament, Take legal custody of his grandchildren

This law goes back to King George I, who ruled in the early 1700s. He passed the law because he had a bad relationship with his son, the future King George II. This way he became the guardian of his grandchildren.

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