Prince George To Be Separated From Prince William When He Turns 12 This Month Due To Royal Tradition
When Prince George turns 12 later this month, a longstanding royal protocol will separate him from Prince William during official travel.
According to this established tradition, once Prince George reaches his 12th birthday, he will no longer be allowed to fly on the same aircraft as his father, Prince William, or his sister, Princess Charlotte, unless King Charles III grants special permission for such joint travel.
The Reason Behind the Rule
This rule, which has been in place for many decades, aims to protect the line of succession to the throne.
The intention is to reduce the risk of multiple senior royals being involved in a single accident by ensuring that key members of the royal family do not travel together.
This precaution helps safeguard the future leadership of the monarchy in the event of an unforeseen tragedy.
The same policy currently applies to King Charles III and Prince William. The two only flew together when William was a young child.
After William turned 12, he was required to travel separately from his father to maintain this safety measure.
Graham Laurie, who once worked as a royal pilot for Prince Charles, shared his experience with the protocol:
“We flew all four: the Prince, the Princess, Prince William, and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old,” Laurie explained.
“After that, William had to travel on a different aircraft. The only time we could have all four together was when they were young, and even then, it required written permission from Her Majesty.”
What Happens Next?
From the day Prince George turns 12, any plans for him to travel alongside Prince William or Princess Charlotte will need to be approved explicitly by King Charles III.
While there may be special occasions where exceptions can be made, the general expectation is clear: Prince George will begin flying separately to protect the monarchy’s future.
This protocol marks an important transition for Prince George as he grows older and steps closer to his role in the royal succession.
It highlights the careful measures the royal family takes to preserve its continuity, even down to how and when members travel together.