Prince George – Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s firstborn – celebrated his 12th birthday on July 22nd. (Seems like just yesterday the Princess of Wales was pictured on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in London in her blue and white polka dot dress shortly after giving birth; are we right?!)
As Prince George, who is second in line to the throne, has now reached his 12th birthday, he is expected to follow royal protocol and travel separately from his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, to protect the line of succession. But could his parents put their foot down and go against this morbid royal rule? Keep reading to find out everything we know!
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Royal Protocol Dictates Prince George And Princess Charlotte Will Now Travel Separately To Protect The Line Of Succession
If royal protocol is to be followed, Prince George will reportedly not be allowed to travel with his younger sister, who is currently third in line to the throne, to protect the order of succession. As morbid as it sounds, it's because the royal family want to ensure the two young royals aren't involved in any accidents that could jeopardize the line of succession.
Prince George and his father's travel arrangements could also change, if royal protocol is to be observed, for the same reasons. The King author Christopher Andersen touched on this last year, telling Fox News Digital: "Starting at age 12, heirs to the throne are required to take air trips separately to preserve the line of succession should an accident occur."
He went on to recall how Prince William had to follow the same rule when he turned 12. "When William turned 12, he began flying in a separate royal jet apart from his father and brother Harry. It's a morbid rule, but then again, when they turn 16, all senior royals are also asked to help plan their own funerals."
Could Prince William And Kate Middleton Scrap This Rule?
According to the New York Post, the Prince and Princess of Wales are speaking with advisors about the possibility of changing the rule, or scrapping it altogether now that their firstborn has turned 12. This rule was put in place when Prince William turned 12 years old; and could he now be the one to change it?
"Interestingly, we flew [Charles], Princess [Diana], Prince William and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old," King Charles's former pilot, Graham Laurie, previously said on A Right Royal Podcast. "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," he added.
Speaking of written permission, it's likely that the Prince and Princess of Wales would be allowed to travel with all three of their children if they get permission from King Charles. No official decisions about scrapping the rule have been made yet, but watch this space!
