When Prince George turns 12 later this month, a longstanding royal protocol will separate him from Prince William during official travel.

Under this tradition, the young heir will no longer be permitted to share the same aircraft with his father—or with Princess Charlotte—unless special permission is granted by King Charles III.

The Reason Behind the Rule

This decades‑old guideline exists to safeguard the line of succession. If an accident were ever to occur, having senior heirs travel on different flights reduces the risk of losing more than one at once. The same rule already applies to King Charles III and Prince William, who traveled together only during William’s early childhood.

Graham Laurie, who once served as royal pilot for then‑Prince Charles, recalled how the policy worked in practice:

“We flew all four: the Prince, the Princess, Prince William, and Prince Harry, up u ntil Prince William was 12 years old,” Laurie said. “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.”

What Happens Next?

From George’s 12th birthday onward, any joint travel plans with his father or sister will require explicit approval from the King. While exceptions can be made for special circumstances, the default expectation is clear: Prince George will chart his own flight path—literally—to protect the future of the monarchy.