Traditionally, born in the purple was a category of members of royal families born during the reign of their parent. This was later loosely expanded to include all children born of prominent or high ranking parents. The parents must be prominent at the time of the child's birth so that the child is always in the spotlight and destined for a prominent role in life. A child born before the parents become prominent would not be "born in the purple." The color purple refers to Tyrian purple, restricted by law, custom and the expense of creating it to royalty.