In a notable shift for royal watchers, Prince William will soon be traveling separately from his eldest son, Prince George.

As George approaches his 11th birthday on July 22, the young prince is on the cusp of entering a new phase of royal life that comes with its own set of rules.

Fans of the royal family have enjoyed seeing the Wales family together on various public outings.

Most recently, they were spotted at the Christmas Day service at Sandringham, where all three children joined their parents.

The sight of this close-knit family has warmed the hearts of many who follow royal affairs.

However, it seems that the days of father and son traveling together may soon be over.

The reason behind this change lies in royal protocol, which dictates that two heirs must never travel on the same flight.

This guideline is designed to safeguard the royal lineage, ensuring that the line of succession remains intact.

While this tradition has been around for some time, Prince William initially broke it when he took a nine-month-old George with him on a trip to Australia, receiving special permission from the late Queen.

Now, as Prince William prepares to adhere to this longstanding rule, he is expected to make travel arrangements that keep him and George apart during royal engagements.

This practice is not just a matter of formality; it reflects the serious nature of royal duties and the precautions taken to protect the monarchy.

Historically, this protocol has affected other royals as well.

For instance, King Charles and Prince William have never traveled together, just as Queen Elizabeth and Charles maintained separate flights during her reign.

When William was younger, he often flew alongside his brother Harry and their mother, Princess Diana, but that changed when he turned 12 in 1994.

Since then, he has not boarded a plane with his father or brother.

As George approaches his 12th birthday, which will mark a significant transition for him, the expectation is that he will also begin to travel separately.

This means that once he turns 12 on July 22, 2025, there will be no exceptions to this rule, and he will have to comply with the same protocols that his father did years ago.

This safety measure is in place to mitigate the risk of any unforeseen tragedies, a concern that weighs heavily on the shoulders of the royal family.

Interestingly, while royals are subject to customs and immigration regulations, they typically enjoy expedited processing.

The late Queen Elizabeth was unique in that she didn’t require a passport, as all passports were issued in her name.

Nevertheless, she still underwent identity checks whenever she traveled.

These shifts in royal travel arrangements raise questions about what life will be like for the younger generation of royals.