Prince William May Ditch Royal Rule About Flying When Prince George Turns 12
Prince George just turned 12 on July 22, 2025—and with that milestone comes a royal rule that could change how he travels.
For years, the British royal family has followed a tradition that says direct heirs to the throne shouldn’t fly together. This is to protect the line of succession in case something tragic happens during travel. When Prince William turned 12, this rule kicked in for him too—he had to start flying separately from his father, then-Prince Charles.
Former royal pilot Graham Laurie explained this in a 2023 episode of A Right Royal Podcast, saying, “We flew all four—Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry—until William turned 12. After that, they could only fly together with special permission from the Queen.”
Now that Prince George is 12, Prince William and Princess Kate may need King Charles’ approval if they want to travel together with George, Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7).
But things might not be so rigid.
In recent years, William and Kate have relaxed some royal traditions to give their children a more normal upbringing. They’ve even skipped royal duties—especially while Kate has been undergoing treatment for cancer—to focus on family life. It’s still unclear whether they’ll follow the travel protocol or request an exception.
Whatever they decide, the focus seems to be on what’s best for their children.
#PrinceGeorge #RoyalFamily #KateMiddleton #PrinceWilliam #RoyalNews