The Prince and Princess of Wales have previously bent the rules of royal travel, allowing their eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, to join them on several overseas tours.
Traditionally, royal protocol dictates that two direct heirs should not travel on the same flight, but Prince William and Prince George have made joint trips to destinations such as Australia in 2014, Canada in 2016, and Germany and Poland in 2017.
For these trips, Prince William reportedly sought special permission from the late Queen Elizabeth II for George to accompany him and Kate.
However, this could change for Prince George, who will turn 12 next year. According to former royal pilot Graham Laurie, once William reached the age of 12, he was required to fly separately from his parents and younger sibling, Prince Harry, to ensure the line of succession was protected.
Laurie shared this insight on an episode of HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast, recalling his experience transporting King Charles, Princess Diana, William, and Harry on family trips.
Laurie explained, “When William was 12, he started traveling in a different aircraft from his family. Before that, we could fly all four together with written permission from Her Majesty. But once William reached 12, he would fly separately, typically in a smaller aircraft from Northolt, while the rest of the family traveled in a different plane.”
This longstanding protocol, which separates heirs to ensure the continuity of the monarchy in case of an accident, could soon apply to Prince George. Laurie noted, “Even today, the King doesn’t fly with the Prince of Wales due to these safety rules.”
While King Charles has sought to reduce travel costs and streamline royal expenses, the priority on safety remains unchanged.
Laurie added that in recent years, royal aircraft have also undergone changes for security reasons, shifting from a distinct red, white, and blue color scheme to a more discreet design resembling a regular airliner.
With this rule expected to be enforced for Prince George when he turns 12, it means that in less than a year, George may no longer be able to travel with his parents and younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, marking a significant shift for the young royal family.
