Americans are freaking out because Prince William and Kate Middleton (who seems to be in a better place with her second pregnancy now) are making their FIRST trip to New York City (well, at least in an official capacity) next month. How exciting! Even though we created an entire war to break free from our British roots, as a nation we’re now obsessed with our parents across the pond and can’t get enough of them, especially the royal family.

Getting any access at all to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is a massive honour, and only a limited amount of press have been given the privilege. However, there’s been some amount of uproar (tiny murmurs of an uproar) since the British Monarchy has given official guidelines on how all who come anywhere near Wills & Kate – even down to the lowly service people – should be dressed at all times.

Journalists wishing to cover Royal engagements, whether in the United Kingdom or abroad, should comply with the dress code on formal occasions out of respect for the guests of The Queen, or any other member of the Royal Family.

Smart attire for men includes the wearing of a jacket and tie, and for women a trouser or skirt suit. Those wearing jeans or trainers will not be admitted and casually dressed members of the media will be turned away. This also applies to technicians.

I feel like this is probably directed specifically towards Americans (it’s listed on the website as just being for any engagement the royal family undertakes), because the Brits see us as a bit sloppy and unkempt (as someone who spends a lot of time there, trust me on this). However, I don’t know any serious journalist worth his or her salt – and you’ll have to be, to have been approved access for this – who would turn up in jeans and a ripped t-shirt or whatever.

That being said, this requirement might be slightly more unreasonable/uncomfortable for technicians, whose job requires them to run here, there and everywhere and doesn’t really lend itself to formalwear. Ah, well. The price you pay for royalty!