Major change will see Prince George separated from his family next year

A major change will come into play next year for Prince George, which will see him separated from his family during any plane travel once he turns 12. Royal protocol states that heirs to the throne shouldn't travel on the same flight from the age of 12, and with George set to turn 12 in July next year, that will mean he won't be permitted to fly with his parents and younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.

Prince William is first in line to the throne, followed by Prince George and then Princess Charlotte, who is third in line. William was also forced to follow the same rule once he turned 12 and is still unable to fly with his father, King Charles.

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George has travelled with his parents on trips to Australia and New Zealand in 2014, to Canada in 2016 and to Poland in 2017. It is believed William had to request permission from the late Queen Elizabeth II to take George with him on his visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Former royal pilot Graham Laurie revealed on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast last year that he used to fly the then-Prince Charles, Princess Diana and their two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, on family trips.

"The ones I did [holiday flights] mainly were the ones when the Wales' went to the Mediterranean," he said. "But interestingly, we flew all four: the Prince, the Princess, Prince William and Prince Harry, up until when Prince William was 12 years old. 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.

"Nowadays, for instance, the King can't fly with the Prince of Wales."

He added of the change once William turned 12, "Up until then, they probably thought it will be too much for him travelling on his own. But nevertheless, that's what they did."

Speaking about whether William will make the change for George, Graham said, "I know the King is trying to cut down cost and is aware of travel, but I think the safety side is still paramount."

According to The Mirror, it's unknown at this stage whether George will travel with his mother and siblings while William uses another plane, or if George will be forced to fly solo.

While plane crashes are rare, three royals have been killed in air accidents, including Prince Philip's sister, Princess Cecile, in 1937, Queen Elizabeth II's uncle, Prince George, Duke of Kent, in 1942 and her cousin, Prince William of Gloucester, in 1972.

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The monarch will also always travel with a supply of blood and a doctor with them at all times.

Interestingly, Prince George reportedly completed his first flying lesson at the Berkshire Airfield in England before he started back at school in September. No doubt his interest came from his father who joined the Royal Air Force as a flight lieutenant in 2009. He later became a helicopter pilot with the Search and Rescue Force, a job which he held until 2013.

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