Future king questions Palace rule as his eldest son marks major milestone
As Prince George celebrated his 12th birthday this week, a time-honored royal protocol is once again under the spotlight—and this time, Prince William may be pushing back.
According to insiders, the Prince of Wales is hesitant to follow the tradition that prohibits royal heirs from flying together once they reach the age of 12. The rule, which is designed to protect the line of succession in the event of a tragedy, was enforced when William himself reached the milestone in 1994. However, the father of three reportedly believes it's outdated.
Royal expert Jennie Bond told the Express UK that the situation is likely to become a source of tension between the Palace and William. “There will be a considerable amount of pressure on them to adhere to the rule,” she explained, “but I'm not convinced that he'll stick to it rigidly.”
The future king, who has championed environmental causes through his Earthshot Prize initiative, may view the idea of taking separate flights as wasteful and environmentally harmful. Bond suggested that continuing to travel on scheduled commercial flights as a family could be a compromise, allowing them to maintain a small carbon footprint.
Reports have also indicated that William is uneasy about the increasing number of rules George will face each year as he grows older. A source previously claimed that the prince is “not looking forward” to the restrictions that accompany royal protocol.
Whether or not the Palace will push back against William's apparent defiance remains to be seen. But with growing calls for modernization within the monarchy, the Prince of Wales may be leading the charge for change—starting with his own family.
