The British Royal Family's Travel Rule: Can Prince George and His Siblings Fly Together?

For the British royal family, travel comes with its own set of unique challenges. A longstanding guideline has prevented heirs to the throne from flying together, a rule that will affect Prince William and Kate Middleton’s eldest son, Prince George, when he turns 12 in 2025. At that point, George will no longer be able to fly with his parents and younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as confirmed by a former royal pilot.

Westminster, London - June 17th 2023. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis travel back to Buckingham Palace following Trooping the Colour.

The Royal Travel Rule

This informal travel regulation mirrors the U.S. tradition of having the president and vice president fly on separate planes — Air Force One and Air Force Two — to minimize risks in the event of an accident. The British royal family follows a similar precautionary practice, where heirs to the throne are advised to travel separately, even though they are allowed to fly together in certain situations.

The reason behind this guideline is simple: to ensure the safety of the line of succession. Since Prince William and Prince George are the next two individuals in line after King Charles III, it is considered a risk for them to be on the same flight. Although exceptions are made, as noted by former royal pilot Graham Laurie, the rule generally stands to avoid both being affected by a tragic event.

Impact on Prince George

Starting in 2025, Prince George, who will be 12 years old, will need to follow the same guideline. Graham Laurie discussed this during the November 17, 2024, episode of Hello!’s “A Right Royal” podcast. “Up until age 12, they probably thought it would be too much for him traveling on his own,” Graham shared. “But nevertheless, that’s what they did.”

Prince William talks to his son Prince George. 14 JULY, 2024: UEFA EURO 2024 Final match: Spain - England

Historically, Prince William and Prince George have flown together on several trips, including to Australia in 2014, Canada in 2016, and Germany in 2017. However, this practice will likely shift when George reaches the age of 12, and he may need to travel separately from his family, in accordance with royal guidelines.

Historical Context: Royal Flights of the Past

George isn't the only royal impacted by this rule. Graham remembered a time when he drove King Charles, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry on family outings together, but that all changed when the Prince of Wales reached the age of 12.

“The ones I did, mainly were the ones when the Wales’ went to the Mediterranean,” he recalled. “But interestingly, we flew all four: the king, the princess, Prince William and Prince Harry, up until when 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.”

Safety and Security: Why the Rule Exists

The primary concern behind this travel rule is security. In an interview, Graham recalled how his plane, which used to be painted in red, white, and blue, was later altered to resemble a typical airliner more closely for safety reasons. The need for such precautions became especially evident after 9/11, and these measures have been in place ever since.

The King, the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour celebrations. Westminster, London. June 17th 2023

For example, Charles, even as King, is still prohibited from flying with his eldest son, Prince William. “Charles is still not permitted to fly with William today,” Graham stated. The decision, while somewhat costly due to the need for separate flights, is seen as necessary for the protection of the royal family.

Future Changes?

Despite the costs associated with the guideline, there’s a possibility that the regulations may ease in the future. Graham Laurie noted that King Charles is aware of the expenses involved in flying the heirs separately. "I know the King is trying to cut down cost and is aware of travel, but I think the safety side is still paramount," Graham added, suggesting that the safety of the line of succession will always be the top priority.

As Prince George approaches his 12th birthday in 2025, royal fans will see the family’s travel rules change, with George flying solo for the first time. While the policy has been in place for years to ensure the safety of the next generations, it remains to be seen whether future adjustments to the royal travel rule will be made. Until then, it’s clear that the safety of the royal family will continue to come first, even if it means extra costs for separate flights.

Investigation Underway After Burglars Target Windsor Castle Estate While Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Family Nearby