How This Strange Rule Came to Be
For a family bound by centuries-old traditions, the British royal household has its fair share of peculiar rules. But among the many protocols, one stands out as particularly unexpected: the unofficial ban on Monopoly. This rule, however, is not enshrined in law or royal decree. Instead, it stems from a family tradition rooted in the game’s tendency to spark fierce competition—sometimes too fierce.
The origins of this unusual restriction trace back to 2008, when Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, made an offhand remark during a visit to the Leeds Building Society. When presented with a Monopoly board as a gift, he declined it, explaining that the royal family was not allowed to play the game because “it gets too vicious” [Snopes]. His comment immediately captured public curiosity, sparking speculation about just how intense those royal game nights could become.
While it remains unclear whether Queen Elizabeth II herself explicitly banned the game, reports suggest that Monopoly had a history of stirring up heated disputes within the royal household. The late Queen, known for her composed demeanor, reportedly preferred more lighthearted pastimes, such as charades—an enduring favorite among the royals [Mirror]. Over time, the Monopoly restriction became more of an unspoken family rule rather than a formal prohibition, reflecting the monarchy’s desire to maintain harmony during their private gatherings.
The Royal Who Banned Monopoly from the Palace
The unusual ban on Monopoly within the British royal family can be traced back to Queen Elizabeth II. Though it was never a formal law, the restriction became widely known after Prince Andrew, Duke of York, made a revealing comment in 2008. While attending an event at Leeds Building Society, he was presented with a Monopoly board as a gift. However, he declined, explaining that the royal family was not allowed to play the game because “it gets too vicious” (Snopes).
This seemingly lighthearted remark hinted at a deeper family tradition. Monopoly, known for its ability to spark heated disputes, was reportedly banned by the Queen to maintain harmony during family gatherings. While there is no official record of her explicitly forbidding the game, multiple sources confirm that its competitive nature led to frequent arguments among royal family members (Mirror).
Interestingly, despite the ban, a special Royal Family edition of Monopoly was created, featuring landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Sandringham House, and Balmoral Castle. This paradox only adds to the intrigue surrounding the Queen’s decision (LADbible). Though Monopoly remains off-limits, other games—such as charades and The Name Game—were favored by Queen Elizabeth II, reinforcing her preference for entertainment that encouraged camaraderie rather than competition.
The Reason Behind the Ban—A Game That Causes Too Much Greed
Monopoly has long been infamous for turning friendly gatherings into heated disputes, and the British Royal Family is no exception. The ban on the game reportedly stems not from concerns over greed itself but from how intensely competitive it makes the players. According to Prince Andrew, Monopoly games in the royal household would become “too vicious,” prompting Queen Elizabeth II to forbid it from family gatherings. This revelation came during a 2008 visit to Leeds Building Society, where Prince Andrew casually mentioned the rule, though it remains unclear whether he was joking or if the ban was strictly enforced.
The reasoning behind the ban is not unique to the Royals. Monopoly has been known to spark arguments in households worldwide, with its mix of strategy, luck, and ruthless property acquisition leading to frustration and tension. While the game has entertained over 500 million players globally and exists in more than 300 versions, its ability to bring out competitive instincts is well-documented. Within the Royal Family, where public image and decorum are paramount, avoiding unnecessary family disputes—especially over a board game—seems like a practical decision.
Despite the Monopoly prohibition, the Royals still enjoy other games. Queen Elizabeth II was particularly fond of charades, a game that requires teamwork and lighthearted fun rather than cutthroat competition. Other favorites include Scrabble, jigsaw puzzles, and “The Name Game,” where players guess famous personalities through yes-or-no questions. Interestingly, even with the ban in place, Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly still enjoy playing Monopoly and Risk during Christmas gatherings. This suggests that while the game might have been discouraged, it was never an unbreakable royal decree.
Other Unusual Games Banned by Royal Decree
While the Monopoly ban is perhaps the most famous example of a game restriction within the British royal family, historical precedents suggest that monarchs have occasionally prohibited certain games or activities. However, unlike Monopoly, which was banned due to its competitive nature, past royal decrees often targeted games that were seen as disruptive to order, morality, or national priorities.
One of the most notable historical game bans came from King Henry VIII, who prohibited football in the 16th century. Far from the structured sport we know today, early football was a chaotic and often violent pastime, leading the king to outlaw it in 1540. The justification? It was deemed a distraction from military training, particularly archery, which was considered essential for national defense. Similar restrictions on football had been issued earlier by King Edward III in 1363, reinforcing the monarchy’s concern over unruly leisure activities.
Although there is no record of modern British royals officially banning other board games by decree, their personal preferences shape the gaming culture within the family. Queen Elizabeth II, for instance, was known to prefer lighthearted games such as charades, which became a staple of royal Christmas gatherings. Meanwhile, Prince William has acknowledged that Risk, another strategy-heavy board game, can also lead to competitive tensions within the family, though it has not faced an outright ban.
Ultimately, while the British monarchy no longer enforces game bans as a matter of law, history shows that rulers have long been mindful of how leisure activities influence behavior, discipline, and even national security.
How Modern Royals Feel About This Monopoly Ban
For a rule that has persisted for decades, the Monopoly ban within the British royal family has taken on an almost mythical status. While Queen Elizabeth II reportedly introduced the ban due to the game’s tendency to spark heated disputes, modern royals appear to take a more relaxed approach. Prince Andrew, who first revealed the restriction in 2008, noted that Monopoly games in the palace would become “too vicious,” suggesting an air of competitiveness that the Queen sought to avoid. However, the younger generation of royals seems to view the rule more as a family tradition than an outright prohibition.
Prince William and Kate Middleton, for example, are known to enjoy board games, particularly during Christmas gatherings. Monopoly and Risk, both strategy-heavy and often contentious games, have reportedly made appearances in their household, indicating that the so-called ban may not be strictly enforced. Even Prince George, in a 2021 remark, acknowledged that despite the rule, Monopoly remains a favorite among the family, reinforcing the idea that the ban is more of a guideline than a hard rule.
Ultimately, the Monopoly prohibition reflects the royal family’s broader emphasis on etiquette and decorum. While the late Queen preferred games like charades—seen as more lighthearted and inclusive—the younger royals seem willing to embrace a bit of competitive tension. Whether they play in secret or simply choose to overlook the rule, one thing is clear: the spirit of Monopoly lives on in the royal household, even if it remains an “unofficially” banned pastime.
The Weirdest Rules the British Royal Family Still Follows
The British Royal Family is bound by a set of traditions that often appear unusual to outsiders. Among the strangest is the well-documented Monopoly ban, which Prince Andrew revealed in 2008, explaining that the game becomes “too vicious” when played within the royal household. While this restriction may seem trivial, it reflects a broader effort to maintain decorum and avoid unnecessary competitiveness in family interactions. Interestingly, despite the ban, a special Queen-themed Monopoly edition exists, featuring royal properties like Buckingham Palace and Balmoral Castle.
Beyond board games, the royals also adhere to strict dietary restrictions. They are discouraged from consuming shellfish, rare meat, or drinking tap water in foreign countries to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Another peculiar rule dictates that no royal should go to bed before the reigning monarch at formal gatherings—a practice that even Princess Diana reportedly found exhausting.
Additionally, while not legally prohibited, voting is considered off-limits for senior royals, as they are expected to remain politically neutral. There’s even an archaic rule against wearing fur, dating back to the 14th century Fur Act—though modern royals have occasionally ignored this tradition. Together, these rules paint a picture of a royal life filled with both privilege and peculiar constraints.
