30 things King Charles can do that you can't -

King Charles III has lived a long life observing the rules and restrictions that come with the role of a reigning monarch. And while there are many things he isn't allowed to do, being the monarch comes with some surprising perks that no one else has, including the rest of the royal family.

Want to discover the exclusive privileges of the man sitting on Britain's throne? Then check out this gallery.

© Getty Images

Go without a last name -

The British royal family's official last name is Windsor. But when the monarch inherited the throne, he left it behind and took on the title King Charles III. 

© Getty Images

Drive a car without a license -

Usually, the King is chauffeured to engagements, but occasionally he likes to get behind the wheel. And he can do so without a driver's license.

© Getty Images

Decide the royal dress code - There are a lot of fashion rules for the royal family to follow, and the King himself has the final say. Some guidelines are based on the late Queen's personal preferences, but now Charles can decide if he wants to wear an Indiana Jones hat, for example.

© Getty Images

Avoid getting arrested - The King doesn't ever have to worry about getting locked up. He has sovereign immunity, and therefore can never be prosecuted.

© Bruno Press

Access to all the royal residences -

While the official residence is Buckingham Palace, the King (and Queen Consort) can split his time between several royal residences.

© Getty Images 

Travel internationally without a passport -

Since all British passports are issued in the name of the King himself, he isn't required to have one. However, other members of the royal family aren't granted this right.

© Getty Images

Drive without a license plate -

You can easily spot a vehicle belonging to the King. It will be the only car on the road without a license plate, and probably there will also be police escorts nearby.

© Getty Images

Approve of royal marriage proposals -

According to the Succession to the Crown Act, the first six members of the royal family in line to the crown must have consent from the King to marry.

© Getty Images

Own unclaimed swans in the UK - Dating back to the 12th century, the monarch is technically the owner of any and all unclaimed swans swimming in open waters in the UK.

© Getty Images

Own the Bentley State Limousine -

King Charles has his own private Bentley to ride around in. The elegant vehicle is known as the Bentley State Limousine.

© Getty Images

Have his face on the British currency -

King Charles III is pictured on the newly issued British currency.

© Getty Images

Skip paying taxes - As a sovereign, the King is exempt from paying taxes. However, he followed his mother lead and decided to voluntarily pay taxes on income, assets, and gains that aren't used for official royal purposes.

© Getty Images

Declare war -

Another special power granted to the King is that he can declare war and peace. He can also send troops to an area of armed conflict.

© Getty Images

Avoid jury duty -

It used to be that the entire royal family was exempt from being called to jury duty, as it was believed it would cause disruption for the late Queen. But in 2003 the law was amended and only the reigning monarch is now exempt.

© Getty Images

Choose the royal menu - Anything the King wants to eat (or drink) is available to him. 

© Getty Images

Celebrate two birthdays -

As the sovereign, the King gets to celebrate two birthdays. His real birthday is privately celebrated on November 14, and his royal birthday will also be celebrated every year, after his coronation. 

© Getty Images

Decide what jewelry is loaned out - For formal occasions, such as state dinners and royal weddings, the King decides which jewels and tiaras from the late Queen's collection can be loaned to family members.

© Getty Images

Decide when dinner ends -

According to royal etiquette, when the King is done with his dinner, the meal is officially over. So you better eat quickly at Buckingham Palace!

© Getty Images

Give out knighthoods -

The King can grant a knighthood to any citizen for their achievements or service to their country. The ceremony, known as an investiture, takes place at Buckingham Palace.

© Getty Images

Grant a criminal pardon -

King Charles III has the power to grant the royal prerogative mercy, which pardons an individual of any criminal punishment. The late Queen issued the special order in 2020 to pardon a convicted felon who saved the lives of British citizens in a London terror attack.

© Getty Images

Have a private ATM -

Imagine never having to rush to an ATM before closing time... That's the case for the King, as he has a private ATM in the basement of Buckingham Palace. Provided by the British bank, Coutts, it's only available to the royal family.

© Getty Images

Ignore speed limits -

The Road Traffic Regulation Act allows emergency service vehicles to break speed limits, so when the King is escorted by police officers, she's granted the same right.

© Getty Images

Keep his finances private -

The King and the royal family are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, which grants the British public the ability to access any information held by the government. However, the royals do disclose their use of public money each year.

© Getty Images

Not curtsy -

Curtsying is a huge part of royal etiquette, but according to protocol the King doesn't need to return the gesture. However, all female members of the royal family are expected to greet the King with a formal curtsy, while male members are required to bow their heads.

© Getty Images

Open Parliament - The monarch is more than just a symbolic figurehead in government. One of his many duties as the head of stead is to lead the State Opening of Parliament each year.

© Getty Images

Own all the dolphins in the UK -

Due to a rule that goes back to the 14th century, the King technically owns all the dolphins, whales, sturgeons, and porpoises in the waters around the UK.

© Getty Images

Take legal custody of his grandchildren - This law goes back to King George I, who ruled in the early 1700s. He passed the law because he had a bad relationship with his son, the future King George II. This way he became the guardian of his grandchildren.

© Getty Images

Dismiss a prime minister -

Even if he can't vote or state his political opinions publicly, the King has the power to dismiss a prime minister. However, it must be an extreme case for him to act. 

Sources: (Good Housekeeping) (Cosmopolitan)

© Getty Images