Giving a gift to a royal is not a straightforward practice. There are, as with many things to do with the British Royal Family, some clear rules surrounding them that limit what and how they can be given.
As reported by the Guardian, Buckingham Palace is currently facing questions that a spokesperson has refused to answer on multiple occasions where 11 jewels given to the royals as official gifts are. It has been confirmed that the Royal Collection Trust does not possess them, leaving speculation about where the pieces are.
“Official gifts are not the personal property of the member of the Royal Family who receives them, but may be held by the sovereign in right of the crown or designated in due course as part of the royal collection,” the spokesperson said, despite declining to confirm where any of the pieces are now.
Here’s why it’s not as simple as it might seem to give something to a member of the Royal Family.
What are the rules on gifts for the Royal Family?
Drawn up in 1995, there are set policies for the Royal Family on receiving gifts, which were last updated in 2003. To understand them, gifts must first be classified as either official or personal.
Official gifts are those received by the Royal Family in connection with their official duties, or those given by businesses or individuals whom they do not personally know.
Examples include those received from officials or dignitaries, such as other heads of state or elected representatives, during official functions, as is the case with four of the 11 pieces of jewellery mentioned above.
Notably, such gifts are not the family members’ private property. As such, they cannot be sold or traded and can only be used by members of the Royal Family or put on public display. Such pieces automatically become part of the Royal Collection.
What counts as a personal gift?
In contrast, personal gifts are those given by people known to members of the Royal Family in a private capacity. They won’t have anything to do with an official engagement or role, and can be of any value.
As these gifts are not related to royal duties, they are owned by family members privately.
There are also some limitations on the value of personal gifts from anyone with whom a royal has a formal relationship, such as royal warrant holders. The value cannot exceed £150; if it does, it is considered an official gift.
Because of these rules, the fact that Buckingham Palace will not confirm where the 11 pieces of jewellery are, which include at least four official gifts, is important, as they don’t technically belong to the Royal Family, but rather to the Royal Collection Trust.
