Does Prince Philip need a driver's licence? Five rules that don't apply to royals

Prince Philip's accident has called into question whether he's required to hold a current driver's licence or not. Photo / Getty Images

Following news of Prince Philip's car accident, where he rolled a Land Rover near his Sandringham Estate, many have been left questioning if the Prince, 97, is in fact a licenced driver.

While the Queen is exempt from holding a licence, Buckingham Palace has been quick to clarify queries around the law applying to the ageing Prince.

A spokeswoman from the Palace confirmed the retired royal holds a valid licence, telling the Express.co.uk: "Prince Philip followed all the usual DVLA practices."

As part of the Queen's rights as sovereign, she is excluded from regulations and laws governing roading and is the only person in the country allowed to drive without a licence.

While this privilege is only held by Her Majesty, there are plenty of other unusual perks to being a royal.

Here are five rules certain members of the Royal Family are exempt from.

1. The Queen does not need a passport

Along with not needing to ever pass a driving test, the Monarch is also free to travel the world, sans passport.

The reason being that one of the Queen's duties is to issue passports, making her need for one invalid.

2. They're not required to use a surname

While the Royals don't technically have a legal last name, there are times where they may need to use one, such as enrolling for the military or school.

But they are entitled to choose which name they wish from several options.

The Queen's descendants have the choice of Mountbatten-Windsor, which is a blend of the Queen's and Prince Philip's last names; or they can use their family's territorial designation, like Wales or York.

Both Harry and William chose to do this when they joined the military, becoming William Wales and Harry Wales.

3. The Queen is allowed to eat swans and have pet dolphins

In the UK, people are permitted to eat pheasants, ducks, turkeys, and chickens, but swans are off-limits, as they are technically owned by the Queen.

Since she is the owner, she is technically allowed to do what she pleases with them, including popping them in a pot for supper. But as one might expect, she takes her role as swan protector seriously and has never indulged in the killing of one for food.

This rule also applies to any marine animals swimming in UK waters, so if the Queen decided she wanted a giant fish tank full of dolphins in Buckingham Palace, she would be permitted to do so.

4. The royal family is exempt from the Freedom of Information law

Similar to most democratic countries, the UK follows the Freedom of Information law, allowing media to request information from public figures or entities.

However, the Queen puts a high value on her family's private lives and is able to keep mum about their personal information thanks to the Windsors being declared exempt from following this law.

5. The Queen can "take" children

By archaic law, the Queen has guardianship of all infants and children that may suffer from certain mental disorders.

While it may sound shocking to some, the Queen could literally use her power to take guardianship over a child if she saw fit.

However, this ancient law is not being practiced by the Queen, who has sworn only to protect her subjects.