The royal family is shrouded in mystery. The family’s power is more ceremonial than it is political in terms of its status. But its history and rituals have kept the common people interested for centuries.
Fairy tales are our favorite. The royal family is our favorite. Princesses or no, there are many age-old traditions that can be tossed in the trash.
The new Pablo Larraín film, SpencerThis brings to light one such tradition. And if it’s true, it makes spending holidays with the royals sound more than a little bleak.
Get Greeted with Vintage Scales
In the film, Princess Di (played by Kristen Stewart) visits the Queen’s Sandringham estate for Christmas in the early ‘90s. When she arrives, she’s asked to weigh herself on an antique scale.
The film depicts this tradition within the context of Diana’s struggle with bulimia. According to the Late princess herself, “[the Queen] indicated to me that the reason why our marriage had gone downhill was that Prince Charles was having such a difficult time with my bulimia.”
It can be equally traumatizing and overwhelming to have to weigh yourself publicly when you are struggling with an eating disorder. Add the pressure of being a commoner at a royal event, and it’s plain overwhelming.
Unsurprisingly, Stewart’s Diana negatively reacts to this odd custom. Prince Charles, her husband, comforts her by purging in the film.
The audience was left with two questions. First, why was Princess Di’s life so unfair? Two, there’s no way this custom could be real—right?
A 120-Year Old Tradition
According to EIC of the royal expert MajestyYes, Ingrid Seward. It is a 2018 Grazia ArticleSeward explained that the ritual dates back at King Edward VII (r. 1901-1910).
“As the festive period revolves around eating, the Queen ensures that guests ‘weigh themselves’ on a pair of antique scales,”Seward states. “This happens before and after the visit.”
Queen Elizabeth’s great-grandfather Edward VII started the tradition to “ensure his guests ate well.”Stewart mentions in his film that Stewart hopes attendees gain at least three pounds while they are there.
The exact number is still unknown. However, the tradition itself doesn’t seem to be. To the family’s credit, Seward’s quotes around ‘weigh themselves’ imply the scales don’t work.
This is the tradition. MightThe last century has seen some changes. It seems absurd and unnecessary to keep it around. For those who struggle with their weight, it can even be cruel.That’s a lot!).
Can you picture your in-laws asking to weigh you before you have Thanksgiving dinner at the house of theirs? Apparently, being a princess isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.