On July 22, 2025, Prince George, the second in line to the British throne, celebrates his 12th birthday, marking a significant moment in his life and in royal tradition. While it’s a joyous occasion for the royal family, the day also carries some weight for Prince William and Princess Catherine, as they begin to navigate new royal protocols with their eldest child.

One such tradition within the royal family dictates that heirs to the throne, particularly those first and second in line, must travel separately once they turn 12. This rule is meant to ensure the continuity of the monarchy, reducing the risk of multiple heirs being lost in a single accident, such as a plane crash. As a result, Prince George’s birthday brings about an important shift in how he will travel with his father, Prince William, and his grandfather, King Charles III.

The origins of this travel rule stem from the monarchy’s desire to protect its future. It has been a longstanding practice that was first implemented when Prince William turned 12 in 1994. At that point, William began flying separately from his father, Prince Charles, and the rest of the royal family. Graham Lurie, King Charles’s former pilot, revealed on a 2023 podcast that William was required to fly on a separate, smaller aircraft from the rest of the family. However, exceptions were sometimes made if Queen Elizabeth II granted written consent, allowing the family to travel together on occasion. This precedent continues today, as King Charles III and Prince William are still prohibited from flying together in order to protect the line of succession.

For Prince George, this rule takes immediate effect as of his 12th birthday. From now on, he may no longer be able to travel with his father or grandfather without special permission from the reigning monarch, King Charles III. While Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have traveled with their children, including George, Charlotte, and Louis, on international trips in the past, such as to Australia in 2014, Canada in 2016, and Germany in 2017, these trips required approval from Queen Elizabeth II as they deviated from the standard protocol. Whether William and Catherine will seek similar exemptions for George remains uncertain, but some reports suggest they may consider breaking with tradition in order to keep the family together, particularly as they strive to provide their children with as normal an upbringing as possible.

The decision to adhere to or break the tradition is not without its challenges. Organizing separate flights for George would complicate logistics and increase costs, as additional aircraft and crew would be required. Furthermore, the rule’s application to other siblings, Princess Charlotte (10) and Prince Louis (7), is less clear. As they are further down the line of succession, the protocol may not be as strictly enforced for them when they reach the age of 12.

Nevertheless, the primary concern remains with George as the second-in-line, whose safety is of utmost importance to the monarchy’s stability. This travel rule is just one of many royal protocols that balance tradition with the realities of modern life. Other practices, such as requiring royals to carry a black outfit in case of sudden death (a tradition rooted in Queen Elizabeth II’s experience when she learned of her father’s passing in 1952), reflect the monarchy’s preparedness for worst-case scenarios.

Despite some of these protocols being viewed as outdated, Prince William and Catherine have already shown their willingness to adapt traditions. Their decision to move to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor in 2022, away from the formality of Kensington Palace, exemplifies their commitment to providing their children with a grounded and less formal upbringing. As the royal family continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these traditional rules will be balanced with the changing dynamics of the modern monarchy.