When Prince George turns 12 later this month, a significant royal protocol will come into effect, requiring him to travel separately from his father, Prince William, during official engagements. This long-standing tradition is intended to protect the royal line of succession by ensuring that key members of the monarchy are not all aboard the same aircraft.
The rule is based on safety concerns and risk management. By separating heirs during travel, the royal family reduces the chances of a single tragic event jeopardizing multiple generations of future monarchs. Prince George, being second in line to the throne after his father, will now be subject to this precaution, just as Prince William was after he turned 12.
Former royal pilot Graham Laurie confirmed this practice, recalling that he used to fly Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Princess Diana, and both William and Harry together only when the children were young. After William turned 12, that changed, and travel required special written permission from the reigning monarch.
Going forward, any travel plans involving Prince George, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte on the same aircraft will require express authorization from King Charles III. While exceptions may occasionally be made, the standard expectation is that they will travel separately.
Maintaining a balance between privacy and online exposure became increasingly difficult. Though the couple split in 2019, their separation wasn’t public until 2023. Jamie revealed in a YouTube video that their marriage involved infidelity, emotional abuse, and personal trauma. He said he’d suffered silently with PTSD and depression after discovering Nikki had reconnected with an ex early in their marriage.
Nikki responded via Instagram, denying the claims and accusing Jamie of trying to damage her reputation. She stated she had hoped to keep matters private for their children’s sake but felt forced to speak out. She rejected the portrayal of her as solely responsible for the breakdown of their marriage.
Now living separately, both Jamie and Nikki continue as influencers and co-parents. Though their relationship ended painfully, their shared commitment to raising Ava and Zoe remains strong as they move forward individually.
