Prince William and Princess Kate are rethinking an old royal tradition that may impact their eldest son, Prince George’s, upcoming travels, The Post has learned.
The couple is reportedly discussing the potential of ending a long-standing royal protocol that prevents senior royals from flying together once the eldest child turns 12—a rule put in place decades ago to protect the royal line of succession in case of an accident.
Outdated Rule May Be Scrapped as George Turns 12
Sources told The Post that the Prince and Princess of Wales are consulting advisors and palace staff about possibly ending the three-decade-old rule as George prepares to celebrate his 12th birthday on July 22.
“Interestingly, we flew [Charles], Princess [Diana], Prince William and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old,” royal expert Laurie shared on A Right Royal Podcast. “After that, he had to have a separate aircraft, and we could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty,” referring to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
While no final decision has been made yet, the couple does have the option of requesting a special waiver from King Charles that would allow the family to continue traveling together beyond George’s birthday.
The Post has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.
A Modern Approach to Parenting the Future King and Siblings
Beyond travel plans, William and Kate are said to be quietly moving away from other royal customs when it comes to raising their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—who are second, third, and fourth in line to the throne.
The couple is known for promoting a more grounded and relatable parenting style, often prioritizing normalcy over strict formality. All three children currently attend a mixed-gender school, Lambrook, located near their family home, Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor.
William has long spoken about his desire to give his kids a childhood rooted in reality, telling British GQ in 2017: “I want George to grow up in a real, living environment, I don’t want him growing up behind palace walls, he has to be out there. The media make it harder but I will fight for them to have a normal life.”
Prince George Likely Headed to Eton College
Still, some royal traditions appear to remain firmly in place.
It was recently reported that Prince George is expected to enroll this fall at Eton College, the elite boys’ school also attended by both his father and uncle, Prince Harry. Known for educating generations of royals and politicians, Eton is a natural fit within the family’s legacy.
George, who currently studies at Lambrook alongside his siblings, had previously toured Eton and other schools—including Highgate School in North London—before the decision was made. He is expected to begin at the $82,000-a-year school in September, shortly after his 12th birthday.
Although Kensington Palace has not made an official announcement about the children’s future schooling, Eton’s proximity to the family’s Windsor residence—just a short walk from Adelaide Cottage—adds to its appeal.