Inside Royal Family Rule That Goes Into Effect When Prince George Turns 12

There are a lot of rules in the royal family — but there’s one major regulation that kicks in when a future monarch turns 12.

Because Prince William is next in line for the throne and his eldest son, Prince George, is about to hit a milestone year (he’ll be 12 on Tuesday, July 22), they can no longer travel together.

Various royal experts have confirmed that this is less of an official rule within the royal family and more of a traveling protocol that’s been in place for years. Essentially, it protects the two future monarchs in case something happens while they are traveling.

Keep scrolling for everything to know about this royal rule:

What Happens When Prince George Turns 12?

It’s apparently protocol going forward that George and his father will have to be separated when it comes to family air travel.

Why Prince George and Princess Charlotte May Not Be Allowed to Fly Together

Did the Same Thing Happen to Prince William?

King Charles III’s former pilot Graham Laurie confirmed on “A Right Royal Podcast” that he initially flew Charles, William, Princess Diana and Prince Harry all together. However, things changed when William turned 12.

“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,” Laurie noted. “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.”

William has also taken flying into his own hands, often using the royal family’s helicopter. Us Weekly reported in June 2024 that concerns over this have been raised.

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“William had previously upset the late Queen Elizabeth when he defied her by piloting his entire family the 115 miles from Kensington Palace to Anmer Hall in Norfolk,” royal expert Robert Jobson wrote in his Catherine, the Princess of Wales biography, released last year. “[Elizabeth] later cautioned William, particularly about flying with his heir Prince George, telling her grandson that he should always be aware of the line of succession.”

Prince George, 11, Reportedly Suited Up for 1st Round of Flying Lessons

Has This Been Confirmed by the Royal Family?

It’s been more or less confirmed through word of mouth that this is the royal protocol. However, William has not spoken publicly about it.

Why Is There a Royal Rule About Flying?

Multiple members of the royal family have died during air travel, including Prince George, Duke of Kent in 1942 and Prince William of Gloucester in 1972.