Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be separated come July when the prince turns 12.
In a tradition designed to safeguard the British monarchy, the siblings are set to face a significant change in their lives.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte – who are third and fourth in line to the throne respectively – will no longer be allowed to travel together.
The rule, which comes into effect when Prince George turns 12, prohibits him from sharing the same aircraft or helicopter with his father, Prince William, or his sister, Princess Charlotte, except under extraordinary circumstances and with explicit permission from King Charles III.
This measure has been in place for decades and is aimed at protecting the royal line of succession in the event of an unforeseen accident.
The same rule also applies to Prince George’s father, Prince William, who has been required to travel separately from his father, King Charles III, since his own childhood.
The change, expected to come into effect next year, means Prince George will have to take separate flights or helicopter rides from Princess Charlotte and other close family members.
Furthermore, he will no longer be permitted to travel with his father, Prince William, unless they obtain special permission from King Charles.
The safety protocol is deeply embedded in royal history and is strictly observed to protect the monarchy from potential tragedy.
Graham Laurie, a former royal pilot for King Charles, said: “We flew all four: the Prince, the Princess, Prince William, and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old.
“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.”
This precaution ensures that the immediate line of succession remains intact in case of an emergency, minimising the risk of losing multiple heirs at once.
While the rule is rooted in historical precedent, it has occasionally been bent. Both King Charles III and Princess Diana were known to travel with their children, Prince William and Prince Harry, despite the protocol.
As future monarchs, Prince William and Prince George must adhere more strictly to this safeguard.
