As he turns 12, the young heir prepares for a traditional shift in royal protocol
Prince George is about to mark his 12th birthday on July 22—and with it comes a significant change that will quietly set him apart from both his siblings and even his father, Prince William.
As second in line to the throne, George will soon be subject to a long-standing royal rule that bars direct heirs from flying together once a child reaches age 12, a precaution designed to safeguard the line of succession.
The protocol, rooted in royal tradition, was followed when William turned 12 in 1994. King Charles's former pilot, Graham Laurie, recently recalled the moment: "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 written permission from Her Majesty."
It's likely the same practice will apply to George, meaning he may soon travel separately from Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and even Prince William—unless special permission is granted by King Charles.
The rule is not merely ceremonial; it serves as a safeguard for the monarchy's future in the event of a tragic incident. History offers somber reminders of its importance: Princess Cecilie of Greece and Denmark, Prince Philip's sister, died in a plane crash in 1937; Prince George, Duke of Kent, perished in an RAF accident in 1942; and Prince William of Gloucester, the Queen's cousin, died in a crash in 1972.
Although the protocol can be bypassed with royal approval, it's rarely encouraged. In the coming months and years, Prince George's growing responsibilities—as well as the quiet adjustments around him—will reflect his future role as a future king in waiting.
