Prince George celebrated his 12th birthday on Tuesday. While this milestone is a major achievement, it ushers the League into a new chapter with royal responsibilities. This birthday also represents an opportunity for the young royal to enjoy a shift in travel protocols. He will likely start traveling with his dad, Prince William, more often soon.
As Prince George approaches his teenage years, the royal family will be tempted to continue a long-standing trend. Under this tradition, heirs cannot travel directly to one another. Prince William and Kate Middleton are among those who will now be required to follow a new rule. This rule prevents them doing so at the same time as their son, who is second in line to the throne. This simple precautionary measure protects any unforeseen line of succession. It’s especially notable considering that Prince William himself went through this practice in his younger years.
A Tradition of Caution
As the world remembers, at only 12 years old Prince William decided to stop flying with his father, now King Charles. This courageous choice established a new standard in the royal family. Members of the royal family have often travelled together in history. Their uncannily successful start to royal touring was continued with successful trips to Australia, Canada and Germany during Prince George’s early years.
In 2014, Prince George went on his first official royal tour with his parents, visiting Australia and New Zealand. Prince William sought permission from the late Queen Elizabeth II for this journey, highlighting the importance of family unity in royal duties. Further trips in 2016 and 2017 only served to punctuate this trend.
“But interestingly, we flew all four: the Prince, the Princess, Prince William and Prince Harry, up until when Prince William was 12 years old.” – Graham
The experience and the tradition of traveling together rapidly changed since then. Royal expert Graham noted that “nowadays, for instance, the King can’t fly with the Prince of Wales.” This new era reminds us all that security and succession must be paramount in all plans for royal travel.
Preparing for Royal Life
Meanwhile, Prince George recently entered his final year at Lambrook School before heading off to secondary school. His parents will take their time in showing him the weight of responsibility that accompanies a royal existence. The shift in travel accommodations reflects his deepening sense of the office he’s not yet sworn into. He should learn a bit about the complexities involved.
Over the past few months, Prince George has been getting a feel for royal duties beyond the usual globe-trotting. His wish allowed him to have a once-in-a-lifetime, VIP meet and greet with pop star Taylor Swift. This event brought into sharp focus the thrilling intersection of contemporary star-powermongering and traditional regal duty. These types of experiences will serve him well as he experiences his first public appearances and future engagements.
The Safety Imperative
The newfound precautionary measures that surround royal travel are not only a matter of tradition, but of safety. The dangers posed by having all heirs to the throne flying together have led the royal family to change their practices throughout the years.
“I know the King is trying to cut down costs and is aware of travel, but I think the safety side is still paramount.” – Graham
These insights reveal how the royal family navigates the intersection of duty and security while preparing young royals for their future roles.
