There is a certain tension within the Windsor family because Prince George is about to turn 12 years old. With this, the possibility arises that his parents may make a decision that challenges one of the strictest rules of the royal family. Although the palace hasn't officially confirmed anything, there are signs that something important is about to change.
The atmosphere in the royal household has changed a lot over the past decade, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been the driving force behind that transformation. Now, what seems like a simple family gesture could clash with a high-level protocol tradition. What has really happened for this decision to be generating so much tension?
Prince George will break a 30-year rule due to William and Kate Middleton's decision
Since William and Kate Middleton started their family, they have chosen to keep their children as far away as possible from the rigid ceremonial. Both George and his siblings, Charlotte and Louis, have grown up with a routine that mixes privilege with normality. We have seen them at soccer matches, at school events, and in everyday scenes that would have been unthinkable for previous generations.
However, that flexibility has a limit when it faces the institutional machinery of the British monarchy. In 1994, when Prince William himself turned 12 years old, an internal rule prohibiting heirs to the throne from traveling together on the same plane came into effect. This measure became a silent pillar of protocol, and now, 30 years later, George is about to face that same rule.
The key date is July 22, when George will turn 12 years old. According to royal protocol, from then on he should no longer travel on the same plane as his parents or his siblings. This rule aims to protect dynastic continuity, preventing a possible accident from ending the lives of several members of the line of succession at the same time.
However, according to The New York Post, William and Kate would be willing to challenge this rule. Their intention would be clear: to keep their family together during trips, avoiding George having to be separated from them. The decision, although apparently symbolic, represents a clash between tradition and modernity that is making waves within the Windsor family.
Currently, George is second in line to the throne, behind his father. It is understandable that his presence at certain events or trips is considered sensitive from an institutional point of view. However, his parents are analyzing with their advisers how to keep the balance between his role as a future king and his personal well-being.
The Windsor family watches closely as this possible breach of royal protocol unfolds
Meanwhile, the more traditional sectors remain alert to every step the Duke and Duchess take. Any move that alters protocol can generate intense debates, especially if it calls into question rules that have worked for decades.
Graham Laurie, former pilot of the royal family, recalled that "the rule was applied for the first time when William turned 12 years old". He also added that at that time, special permits were managed because "the queen understood the importance of keeping the family together". That's why, although the change may seem minor, the truth is that it means opening the door to other possible relaxations.
There is no doubt that the possible decision to allow Prince George to continue traveling with his parents has caused an intense debate within the Windsors. This measure represents a gesture of breaking with the rule that has been in place for 30 years. The future of the British royal family seems to be heading toward a closer monarchy, although not without internal tensions.