Prince George turns 12 on July 22—and with it comes a big change. Following royal tradition, George will no longer travel with his father, Prince William, who is first in line to the throne.
This rule ensures that two heirs don’t travel together, minimizing the risk of losing both in an accident. “We flew all four royals together—until William turned 12,” said King Charles’s former pilot. After that, William had to fly separately.
George won’t just be separated from his dad—he’ll also need to travel apart from siblings Charlotte and Louis. Family games on the road, like Uno, may now happen in two different cars or planes.
Though it might seem excessive, the rule is rooted in tragedy. The royals have lost family members in air and car crashes—including Princess Diana in 1997. This precaution helps protect the future of the monarchy, even if it comes with tough changes for young royals like George.
