With less than two years between them, Prince George and Princess Charlotte have a close sibling bond. However, they may soon be forced to separate because of a royal rule.
From what they are allowed to eat on official outings to avoiding public displays of affection, the royal family follow a number of guidelines. And there is one rule that may soon impact Prince George – but not his two other siblings.
So the royal lineage can be protected, heirs to the throne can’t fly together. This rule directly impacts those in line to the throne, and has included the late Queen, King Charles and Prince George’s father William, the Prince of Wales.
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It will also likely affect Prince George, who is currently second in line, reports the Mirror. The tradition was put in place in the event of a catastrophic plane crash, ensuring that an heir to the throne is always protected and the monarchy remains stable.
Speaking on HELLO Magazine’s ‘A Right Royal Podcast’, King Charles’ former pilot, Graham Laurie, opened up about the rule and how it affected a young Prince William when he turned 12 in 1994. George will celebrate his 12th birthday in July 2025.
He told the hosts: “Interestingly, we flew all four: the Prince, the Princess, Prince William and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old.
“After that, he had to have a separate aircraft and we could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty. When William became 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt and we would fly the 146 out with the other three on.”
It’s by no means the only travel rule that applies to the Royal Family. Much like his mother before him, King Charles has a supply of blood and a doctor with him at all times.
In 2016, the Telegraph’s Gordon Rayner reported that the late Queen would also travel alongside a Royal Navy doctor, who would research information about local hospitals, whenever she went on a world tour.
“In countries where a reliable blood supply is questionable, the Queen and the Prince of Wales both travel with their own personal packs of blood following in their convoy wherever they go,” he added.
“Their doctor is never more than a few paces away, carrying a bulky medical bag containing a mobile defibrillator and all manner of emergency medicine.”
One thing Charles doesn’t have to worry about, however, is remembering his passport. While he did need his travel documents as the Prince of Wales, now that he is the King it is no longer necessary.
According to the royal family’s website , which has yet to be updated in full following the death of Queen Elizabeth, the monarch does not need a passport because the documents are issued in their name.
“When travelling overseas, The Queen does not require a British passport,” they explain. “As a British passport is issued in the name of Her Majesty, it is unnecessary for The Queen to possess one.
“All other members of the Royal Family, including The Duke of Edinburgh [then Prince Philip ] and The Prince of Wales [then Prince Charles], have passports.”