Prince George Turns 12 — And Can No Longer Fly with Prince William Due to Royal Protocol

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Prince George of Wales has reached a quiet but significant milestone — and it’s not just his 12th birthday. In keeping with long-standing royal protocol, the young prince is now discouraged from flying with his father, Prince William, the direct heir to the British throne. The seemingly unusual rule stems from a practical and somber tradition designed to protect the continuity of the monarchy.

The logic is straightforward, if unsettling: to prevent the loss of two immediate heirs to the throne in the event of a tragic accident. While not strictly codified in British law, this rule has been upheld as a royal custom for generations — a precaution rooted in the monarchy’s need for stability.

Until now, Prince George had accompanied Prince William and Princess Catherine on overseas royal tours, including trips to Canada, Australia, and Poland. But now that he has entered his teenage years, and as he inches closer to assuming greater royal responsibilities, a quiet shift in protocol begins to take shape.

Kensington Palace has not formally commented on the change, but royal watchers and constitutional scholars point out that the unwritten rule tends to become more strictly followed after a child turns 12 — the age at which royal family members are expected to begin understanding and engaging with their roles more seriously. In effect, George is no longer merely a child of the monarchy. He is the future of it.

It’s a stark reminder that, despite their public smiles and ceremonial appearances, members of the Royal Family live by a series of unyielding rules, some of which may seem oddly archaic or even burdensome by modern standards. The air travel protocol is just one among many that govern the lives of Britain’s royals from cradle to coronation.

For example, did you know that two heirs should never eat the same food when traveling abroad, particularly dishes known for food poisoning risk like shellfish or rare meats? While not always followed strictly in recent decades, it’s another remnant of royal caution.

Then there’s the dress code. Royal children — especially boys — are expected to wear shorts, not trousers, until roughly age 8, in keeping with centuries-old upper-class British tradition. Prince George was often seen in shorts for public appearances in his earlier years, regardless of the weather, while Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have also had their outfits carefully chosen to reflect the image of royal propriety.

Another peculiar tradition: Royals aren’t allowed to sign autographs. This is a security measure, designed to prevent forgery. Even when swarmed by enthusiastic crowds, senior royals politely decline any requests to sign mementos, opting instead for smiles and small talk.

Also forbidden? Monopoly. Former Prince Charles, now King Charles III, once jokingly revealed that the family is not allowed to play the board game because it gets “too vicious.” While he may have been speaking in jest, it underscores the image the Royal Family is keen to maintain: dignity, composure, and unity, even in private moments.

And when it comes to birthdays, especially for royals like George, the celebrations are both personal and national. While the family holds private parties, official portraits are often released to the public, as was done again this year. The latest photograph, taken by the Princess of Wales herself, shows Prince George grinning on the beach, marking not just his birthday but his step closer into the spotlight of royal duty.

His future, in many ways, is already charted. As the eldest son of Prince William and second in line to the throne, George is being slowly, deliberately prepared for kingship — through education, etiquette, and now, protocol. His upbringing at Lambrook School near Windsor includes sports, music, and languages, but also a private tutelage in what it means to serve the Crown.

As Queen Elizabeth II once famously remarked about her role: “I have to be seen to be believed.” That same visibility and quiet discipline is now being handed to George, one birthday at a time.

It’s unclear when exactly Prince George will begin traveling independently from his father, or whether exceptions may be made for certain engagements. But the general expectation among royal aides and experts is that changes will come gradually and quietly — as they always do in the House of Windsor.

Still, for most 12-year-olds, a birthday means cake and presents. For Prince George, it also means stepping into a life shaped by centuries of rules and responsibility.