Prince George is preparing for a major milestone when he turns 12 next year.
According to royal tradition, this birthday brings with it a change in travel protocols, reflecting his position as the second in line to the throne after his father, Prince William.
What will happen to Prince George when he turns 12?
This rule was shared by Graham Laurie, King Charles’s former pilot.
Laurie explained, “We used to fly with all four of them: the Prince, the Princess, Prince William, and Prince Harry, up until William turned 12.”
He further elaborated that once William reached the age of 12, they needed special permission from the reigning monarch, the late Queen Elizabeth, to travel together.
“After that age, he had to fly in a separate aircraft. We could only fly all together with written consent from Her Majesty,” Laurie shared with the Express. “When William turned 12, he would fly separately in a 125 from Northolt, while the rest would travel in a 146.”
Prince George’s Travel Rules
As Prince George approaches this age, it’s uncertain how the travel arrangements will be handled. It remains to be seen if he will fly separately from his parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and his siblings, Charlotte and Louis.
Another option could be Prince William traveling alone while George flies with his mother and siblings.
Alternatively, William might travel with either Charlotte or Louis, with George accompanying the Princess of Wales.
This royal travel restriction aims to protect the monarchy’s future by reducing the risk of multiple heirs being on the same flight.
Although the rule can be waived with written permission from King Charles, the heirs traveling together poses a potential risk.
As Prince George prepares to step into this new phase, the changes in travel protocols highlight the careful measures the Royal Family takes to ensure the safety and continuity of the monarchy.