By The Royal family adheres to a myriad of rules and protocols, ranging from the need to seek consent for marriage proposals to the strict no-autograph policy. One such regulation, poised to impact Prince George and his sister, Princess Charlotte, mirrors the experiences of their father and uncle, Prince William and Prince Harry, years ago.
The Royal Travel Rule
A key royal tradition designed to protect the monarchy’s lineage dictates that certain family members cannot travel on the same aircraft. This rule aims to ensure that the line of succession is preserved in the event of a tragic accident. Currently, Prince William has the liberty to travel with his three children; however, this will change as they grow older.
Historical Context and Future Implications
On HELLO Magazine’s ‘A Right Royal Podcast,’ Graham Laurie, who once served as a pilot for King Charles, provided insights into this regulation and its implications for Prince William when he turned 12 in 1994. Prince George is set to reach this milestone in July next year.
Laurie explained, “Interestingly, we flew all four: the Prince, Princess, Prince William, and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old.” He continued, “After that, he had to have a separate aircraft, and we could only fly together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty. Otherwise, after 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt and we had to split the duty with the other three on.”
Why the Rule Exists
This protocol necessitates that Prince George, once he turns 12, will have to fly separately from his father, Prince William, due to his unique position in the direct line of succession. It is yet to be decided whether the same rules will apply when he travels with his mother, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and his siblings while his father travels alone.
The Royal family follows this practice to safeguard the future of the monarchy. While this rule might seem stringent, and even a bit unusual, it’s generally accepted as a practical measure to ensure the continuity of the Royal lineage.
Current Practices and the Future
Currently, Prince William can travel with his three children, but as Prince George approaches his 12th birthday, this flexibility will change. The transition will likely bring adjustments to the family’s travel arrangements and highlight the importance of this royal protocol.
As Prince George and Princess Charlotte grow older, they will face more of these traditional rules and protocols that have long governed the lives of their royal predecessors. This travel rule is just one of many that underscore the unique responsibilities and precautions taken by the Royal family to protect its members and ensure the continuity of its legacy.
Source:mirror.co.uk
