Prince George Faces a Major Change in 2025: A Royal Separation Looms
In just a few months, Prince George, the eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, will undergo a significant change in his life that reflects the ongoing preparations for his future as the heir to the British throne.
As part of a long-standing royal protocol, the 11-year-old will be separated from both his parents and siblings, a transition set to take place when he turns 12 in July 2025.
Prince George, who will celebrate his 12th birthday on July 22, 2025, is second in line to the throne, following his father, Prince William, and his grandfather, King Charles III. Although George isn’t expected to assume the throne immediately, royal analysts agree that the path to the monarchy is a lifelong journey of preparation, one that requires a change in how he interacts with his family.
For those unfamiliar with royal protocol, this change in George’s life will be part of a crucial phase in preparing him for the responsibilities of kingship. The royal family has a long-standing tradition that mandates heirs to the throne are kept apart from their immediate family members under certain circumstances. This protocol is intended to ensure the continuity of the monarchy in the unlikely event of a tragedy. In the case of a worst-case scenario, such as a tragic accident like an aircraft crash, the royal regulations dictate that the two members in direct succession (in this case, Prince William and Prince George) must not travel together.
Until now, George has traveled with his family, but as he turns 12, he will be prohibited from joining his parents and siblings on certain trips. This shift is similar to what occurred with his father, Prince William, who followed similar rules when he was a child. Until he reached the age of 12, William traveled with his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, as well as his brother, Prince Harry. However, after turning 12, William had to fly separately, following royal guidelines that ensured succession protocols were respected.
Former royal pilot Graham Laurie, who worked with King Charles, shared insights into the royal travel rules. He explained that until Prince William turned 12, the family flew together in a single aircraft. However, after William’s 12th birthday, the family split up for flights, with William flying separately, and the other family members traveling together. “We could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty,” Laurie told OK! magazine.
While these regulations are in place, it’s worth noting that the royal family has occasionally made exceptions. In 2014, Prince William and Kate Middleton were granted special permission by the Queen to travel with all three of their children during a tour of Australia. This rare exception allowed the family to remain together on the journey, highlighting the flexibility within the royal rules when circumstances allow.
As Prince George prepares for this shift, his life will undoubtedly take on new responsibilities, with his family’s role in the monarchy influencing the course of his future. The coming year will mark an important milestone in his royal journey, as he takes further steps to prepare for the role he may one day inherit.