The British Royal Family's Air Travel Rules: A Look at the Unspoken Protocol
The British Royal Family's air travel rules are a fascinating topic, with a mix of tradition, practicality, and security considerations. While some rules are well-known, others are less so, and they often involve a delicate balance between tradition and practicality. One of the most famous rules is that two heirs are not to travel in the same aeroplane in case of an accident, to prevent England from being left without a monarch. However, this rule does not apply to the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are allowed to travel together with their children.
One of the less-known rules is that the royals are not allowed to sit in the highest cabin on the flight. According to former British Airways air hostess Helena Ford, the royals have to sit in business class, and if there is no first class, they have to sit in Traveller Plus. This rule is said to be in place to prevent the royals from having fake names, although the reason for this is not clear. Ford also revealed that when William and Kate were on her flight, they sat in business class, as there was a first class on that day, and the rest of business class was sat in by members of their security team.
The royal family's go-to airline is British Airways, and the company has a special place in Kate's heart, as both her parents met while working for the company. In an interview, His Majesty The King's former pilot Graham Laurie revealed that Prince William flew with his parents and brother until his 12th birthday in 1994. After that, he had to have a separate aircraft, but exceptions were only made when the late Queen granted written permission for Prince William to fly with his father.
In recent years, the Wales family has been travelling together because it is not economical or cost-effective to use two aircraft every time they travel. A royal spokesman reportedly said in 2014 that while there is no official rule on this, it is something that the Queen has the final say on. However, as we've seen in recent years, the Prince and Princess of Wales do travel together with their children for tours, engagements, and privately, as it would not be cost-effective, practical, or economically friendly for immediate family members to travel on different aircraft.
Other royal rules include all members of the family having clearly monogrammed luggage inside, which is a black outfit, in case the worst happens. This protocol stems from when the Queen returned to the UK after hearing of her father’s death in 1952 and had to wait for staff to provide mourning attire before she left the plane. These rules and protocols are a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the British Royal Family and their air travel arrangements.
