As summer unfolds in the UK, the royal household is preparing for a significant milestone. Prince George’s 12th birthday on July 22. While the occasion is expected to be celebrated privately, what follows may alter the way the young heir travels with his family for years to come.
With his father, Prince William, often seen traveling alongside his wife Catherine and their three children George, Charlotte, and Louis. This tightly bonded family of five may soon be forced to split up when flying. A centuries-old royal rule is creeping back into relevance, and it’s one that could change everything for the young prince.
According to royal protocol, once a royal heir turns 12, they can no longer travel on the same plane as the reigning monarch or the next in line. The reasoning behind this tradition is to protect the line of succession in the tragic event of an accident. This means Prince George and his father may soon be required to fly separately, a shift that reflects the weight of his future role as a potential king.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond explained the tradition in more detail, clarifying its scope and purpose.
“This is a rule which I think applies only to flying, not to other methods of transport,” Bond told The Mirror.
“Nevertheless, it’s going to be rather annoying for the family because they are such a tight little unit and obviously enjoy travelling together.”
The adjustment may seem simple on the surface, but for George, the impact could be profound. Being forced to fly apart from his father is a stark reminder of the responsibility looming over his young shoulders.
“It is, of course, quite a graphic illustration of how George’s destiny is mapped out and of how he is different from everyone else,” Bond added.
“And that must be quite hard for a 12-year-old to accept.”
However, she remains optimistic about how the change will be handled, noting the couple’s hands-on and gentle parenting style.
“They will explain the situation as gently as possible to all three of the children,” she said.
“As long as William and George are separate, they can make it work.”
While the rule is deeply rooted in tradition, not everyone believes Prince William will strictly follow it. As someone known for modernizing aspects of royal life, William may decide to bend or even abandon this outdated rule. According to royal analyst Richard Fitzwilliams, it’s not unheard of for exceptions to be made—especially with the reigning monarch’s written permission.
“The protocol rules have flexibility,” Fitzwilliams told InStyle.
“It was followed probably more in the past than now.”
The precedent was certainly enforced during William’s own childhood. RAF Squadron Leader Graham Laurie recalled that the prince had to start flying separately from King Charles when he turned 12 in 1994. But modern air travel statistics and changing public attitudes could influence William’s stance today.
Other peculiar royal travel habits have also made headlines from carrying their own blood type while traveling to packing a black outfit in case of national mourning. The family’s travel routine is anything but ordinary.
Now, with George’s birthday just around the corner, the big question remains unanswered: Will Prince William stick to royal tradition and fly separately from his son, or will he rewrite the rules for the next generation?
Only time and George’s first post-birthday royal trip will reveal whether this royal father will obey a centuries-old rule or choose to fly his own path.
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