Why Royal Heirs Can't Fly Together: The Morbid Rule

Imagine being told you can't ride in the same car—or plane—as your own father. For Prince William, that's been reality since he turned 12. The British royal family follows a longstanding (though unofficial) protocol: two direct heirs to the throne cannot fly on the same aircraft. It's not written in any constitutional document, but it's treated as gospel. The reason? If the plane goes down, the monarchy needs a backup plan.

When Prince Charles became King Charles III in September 2022, the rule didn't disappear—it just shifted. Now King Charles and Prince William are prohibited from sharing flights. And in July 2025, when Prince George turned 12, he joined the club. From that point forward, George can no longer fly with his father unless special permission is granted by the monarch.

Where Did This Rule Come From?

The protocol emerged from decades of royal caution, designed to prevent a catastrophic gap in the line of succession. Former royal pilot Graham Laurie revealed that he flew Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry together routinely—until William hit his 12th birthday. After that, William needed his own aircraft, and the family could only fly together with written permission from Queen Elizabeth II.

It's a safeguard rooted in worst-case thinking. If something happened to both the King and the next-in-line simultaneously, the monarchy would face a constitutional crisis. By keeping heirs separated, the palace ensures continuity.

The Age 12 Cutoff

Why 12? That's when an heir is considered old enough that their position in the succession becomes "serious." Before that age, families can fly together without issue. But once you hit double digits plus two, you're officially important enough to require your own plane—or at least separate travel arrangements.

This meant Prince George got to enjoy family flights to destinations like Australia and New Zealand as a baby and young child. But those days are now over. As he matures into his role as second-in-line to the throne, the weight of royal protocol settles on his shoulders—even at 12.

Can They Ever Break the Rule?

Yes, but only with permission. Prince William famously broke protocol in 2014 when he, Kate Middleton, and nine-month-old Prince George flew together to Australia and New Zealand. William asked his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, for special dispensation—and she agreed. Similar exceptions have been granted over the years, particularly for young children.

Still, these are exceptions, not the norm. As heirs age and their roles solidify, the rule tightens. King Charles can request permission for himself and William to fly together, but doing so would require formal approval and likely only happen under extraordinary circumstances.

A Morbid but Practical Tradition

Critics call it the "morbid rule," and it's hard to argue otherwise. The entire premise is built on planning for tragedy. But from the palace's perspective, it's just good succession management. The British monarchy has survived for over a thousand years by thinking ahead—and that includes air travel safety.

So next time you see Prince William boarding a flight solo while his father takes a different plane, remember: it's not personal. It's protocol. And in the world of royalty, protocol is everything.