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Fox News
a day ago
- General
- Fox News
Prince William and Prince George to be separated by ‘morbid rule' for monarchy's protection: experts
Prince George recently turned 12 years old, and according to royal experts, one "morbid rule" is now expected to go into effect. Royal protocol advises that George will no longer be allowed to fly with his father, Prince William. Heirs are required to fly separately to preserve the line of succession should an accident occur while they are traveling. William, 43, is heir to the throne. "The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children are the future of the royal family," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. "Accidents do happen, and this seems like a sensible precaution which ought to be observed, as it was with King Charles and William during Queen Elizabeth's reign." "There are reports that the king and William, who is a pilot, disagree over this," Fitzwilliams shared. "But it should be necessary to point out that Harry is fifth in line to the throne... and only four working royals are under 70… The need for Prince George as second in line to the throne to fly separately from his father surely makes sense." Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment. WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAM ADAMANT ABOUT GIVING HIS CHILDREN A NORMAL LIFE: AUTHOR The king's former pilot, Graham Laurie, previously confirmed on "A Right Royal Podcast" that he initially flew Charles, William, Harry and Princess Diana together, but that changed when William turned 12, Us Weekly reported. "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," said Laurie, as quoted by the outlet. "When William became 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt, and we would fly the 146 out with the other three on." British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard claimed to Fox News Digital that the king had made it known that he expected George to travel separately from his father. She noted that father and son will have to "adjust to the change." "Traditional royal travel protocol expects a future heir to travel separately from their father, especially when 12 years old," Chard explained. "Direct heirs should not fly together. Previous generations left children at home with governesses when traveling. This, however, caused a lot of upset for the children. King Charles can vouch for this; he desperately missed his parents when they were away on tour." Still, Chard said that it's likely George and William will ease into the change. "This important matter is being debated as it could impact the future of the monarchy," she claimed. "Travel arrangements for the heir to the throne are important at any age. And the Wales family have always traveled together… There are many rules, expectations and traditions that the royal family is expected to follow." British royals expert Hilary Fordwich pointed out to Fox News Digital that the rule isn't set in stone. However, she noted that it's a travel protocol that monarchs have taken seriously over the years. "Rules, such as not traveling by plane or car together, now that Prince George is 12, are unwritten but a tradition," she explained. "This ensures that the next in line and heir are not lost. It has, on occasion, been relaxed or bent. Now, with the king's health issues, combined with his advanced age, it is considered extremely important to ensure Prince George's safety." "Prince William and Princess Catherine are adhering to many rules, especially those protecting the succession," Fordwich shared. "But to a certain extent, they've reinterpreted other rules, relaxing or even disregarding others, in an admirable attempt to become a more relatable modern family. Every royal generation has likewise updated traditions, thereby remaining relevant." "The restrictions on William and George flying together are a decades-long edict to ensure continuity should one die in a travel accident," added royal expert Ian Pelham Turner. "Whether this will change or be challenged by William in the future and break decades of tradition is not known," he said. "But these days, with the royal family, that is not uncommon." Royal author Robert Jobson previously wrote in his biography, "Catherine, the Princess of Wales," that the king "raised concerns" with William over his helicopter use with his wife, Kate Middleton, and their three children. William had expressed a strong desire to fly with his entire family. Not only did this reportedly spark a tense disagreement, but the king presented William, an experienced pilot, with "a formal document acknowledging the risks involved and taking full responsibility for his actions." A spokesperson for Kensington Palace, which handles the offices of the Prince and Princess of Wales, didn't immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace declined to comment. "There have been several royals who have perished in plane crashes," Fordwich previously explained to Fox News Digital. "As a result, Queen Elizabeth II was particularly sensitive regarding who could and would be permitted to fly together. Rules were put in place years ago regarding the prohibition of royal heirs from flying together." "Much of the royal protocol was insisted upon by the late Queen Elizabeth II," Chard pointed out. Still, the Prince and Princess of Wales aren't afraid to bend the rules on occasion, she said. "[In the past], Prince George would have endured certain rites of passage," Chard explained. "However, the Prince and Princess of Wales do not agree with some of the old-fashioned traditions, such as the 'blooding ritual,' especially when these traditions are not etched in stone. This makes perfect sense as some expectations, especially trivial and old-fashioned etiquette, are no longer relevant in today's modern world." "A few traditions that the Prince and Princess of Wales have broken tend to be fashion-related. I imagine not complying with some of the protocol is a much-welcomed shift." "The royals are far more touchy-feely these days, selfies are occasionally permitted, especially by William," said Fitzwilliams. "The king is a hugger, and William and Catherine communicate by video. The succession to the throne is pivotal to the future of the monarchy, and the deep rift in the royal family underlines its importance. [Still], George should not fly in the same aircraft as his father." Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," previously told Fox News Digital that once George turned 12, he and his father would mark the beginning of a lifestyle change after the "morbid rule" kicks in. "Starting at age 12, heirs to the throne are required to take air trips separately to preserve the line of succession should an accident occur," said Andersen at the time. "When William turned 12, he began flying in a separate royal jet apart from his father and brother Harry," he shared. "It's a morbid rule, but then again, when they turn 16, all senior royals are also asked to help plan their own funerals."
Fox News
2 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Princess Anne wants Prince William to ditch this concerning royal habit: expert
Princess Anne reportedly wants Prince William to ditch an annoying habit. Several royal experts claimed to Fox News Digital that the late queen's only daughter, who has been crowned "the hardest-working royal," is hopeful that her nephew will pick up the slack as he prepares to be king one day. "Prince William, in the past, had allegations that he was work-shy," royal expert Ian Pelham Turner claimed to Fox News Digital. "… The 'perfect prince' image may be slightly tarnished, and Princess Anne takes no prisoners." "My natural reaction is that Princess Anne will win this battle," Turner added. Turner's comments came shortly after The Sunday Times reported that William "annoys" his aunt when it comes to their shared royal duty. The U.K. published a profile of Anne leading up to her 75th birthday next month. Several unnamed sources close to the princess claimed that she would like to see the father of three do more "bread-and-butter" royal engagements. The outlet pointed out that only King Charles, as well as Anne and William, do investitures, and many of them take place at Windsor Castle, near William's home, Adelaide Cottage. "She's still doing most of the investitures [at Windsor] even though William lives there," a source close to Anne claimed to the outlet. "It annoys her." Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace for comment. Investitures are described as ceremonies in which a senior royal presents medals to people recognized for their significant contributions. The special services are traditionally held at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. According to the royal family's website, there are about 30 investitures each year. "Princess Anne's well-deserved reputation stems from her ability to carry out everyday royal engagements without fanfare or praise," royal commentator Amanda Matta explained to Fox News Digital. "So seeing William, who lives just down the road from Windsor, skip out on investitures, she's still doing herself in her mid-70s? I imagine that would absolutely get under her skin." "With fewer working royals in the fold, and even fewer who can carry out significant engagements like investitures, Anne likely wants to see William take on more of the foundational royal work… not just the high-profile tours and splashier events," Matta shared. "The steady, day-in, day-out work is what keeps the monarchy visible and justifies their existence. It also feels like we're watching two very different generations define 'royal duty' in very different ways. Anne's motto is 'just get on with it,' while William always seems concerned with what an event says about the future of the crown." Despite Anne's reported personal feelings, she's adamant about supporting the heir to the throne. The outlet reported that Anne is "fond of her nephew" and will be by his side if she's still working when he accedes to the throne. And the feeling is mutual. Three weeks after suffering a horse-related accident, Anne returned to work, black eye and all. William and his wife, Kate Middleton, acknowledged her dedication on X: "Super trooper! So great to see you back so soon. W&C x." According to the outlet, William "is known to admire his aunt's devotion to duty." "Even if there is any annoyance, there's mutual respect as well as affection between Princess Anne and Prince William as all who know them can confirm," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. "Princess Anne remains most supportive of Prince William's future as king," she shared. "She admires his sense of duty and commitment to the crown as well as his being a good family man rather than so many of his Prince of Wales predecessors who have, throughout history, been notorious for their womanizing while awaiting ascending to the throne." "As Prince William grows into his role, we are likely to see more collaboration for future royal events, particularly at Windsor," Fordwich continued. "There is a balance to bear in mind between Prince William's current greater focus on his family versus the more traditional ceremonial approach Princess Anne has upheld. He is well aware of this." WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON 'DEDICATED TO DUTY' AS MONARCHY'S FUTURE: A REAL PARTNERSHIP Fordwich pointed out that William has prioritized being a hands-on parent to his children, including his eldest Prince George, who is second in line to the throne. "By all accounts, Prince George is well-adjusted and a fine king in waiting," said Fordwich. "This is one of the most important roles Prince William has – to raise a great king. He's taking that role most seriously." According to People magazine, Anne will hold the most investiture ceremonies in 2025. In 2023, Anne attended the most engagements of any member of the royal family, reports revealed. She conducted 457 engagements, making her the most industrious for the third year running. William has been accused of being "work-shy" by critics for limiting his royal engagements. Prince Harry wrote about the label in his memoir "Spare." The Duke of Sussex pointed out that when the accusations first came to light, his brother was raising his firstborn, Prince George, and expecting his daughter Charlotte. "The papers were awash with stories about Willy being lazy, and the press had taken to calling him 'Work Shy Wills,' which was obscene, grossly unfair because he was busy having children and raising a family," wrote the 39-year-old. "He did as much as Pa wanted him to do, and sometimes that wasn't much because Pa and Camilla didn't want Willy and Kate getting loads of publicity. Pa and Camilla didn't like Willy and Kate drawing attention away from them on their causes. They'd openly scolded Willy about it many times." In May of this year, Ed Owens, a historian who writes about the British monarchy, told The New York Times that William has been revamping his reputation. The outlet reported that the 43-year-old met with President Donald Trump at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, rode on a tank during a visit to British troops in Estonia, and represented his father at the funeral of Pope Frances. "William has sometimes been seen as work-shy, but we see him gravitating toward bigger, more media-friendly events," Owens told the outlet. "He's burnishing his reputation as a statesman." Shannon Felton Spence, a former British public affairs official, previously told Fox News Digital that William had prioritized raising his family over the years. But with the king's slimmed-down monarchy, he will be expected to juggle multiple roles. "[William and Catherine] have long been accused of being 'work-shy,' and frankly, it comes from a deep desire to provide a normal life for their family," she explained. "It was easier to accomplish that work-life balance in years past when the kids were young." "There were more working members of the family, and [William and Catherine] were less senior," she said. "But that's no longer the case. And they are going to need to get with the program. They are very duty-driven, and they have a heart for service, but sometimes the country, and indeed the world, expect to see them at a time when it may be inconvenient for them. And that's always been the essential conflict of that job – the crown comes first." As for Anne, she plans to continue working. "She has said her plan is to push on [with work] until she is 80, then start winding down a bit, and then copy the [late] Duke of Edinburgh and wind down completely at 90," a source told the Sunday Times.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kensington Palace Wows Royal Fans with Photo of Prince William and Princess Charlotte from Surprise Appearance
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. If you've been wondering what royals do with their weekend days, you're in luck. Kensington Palace just shared a photo of Prince William and Prince Charlotte after they made a surprise appearance to support the Lionesses (England's women's soccer team) in their match against Spain for the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final this Sunday, July 27. So it looks like even princes and princesses enjoy catching a good game every now and again. The photo, which was shared on Instagram via the official account, @princeandprincessofwales, was accompanied by a simple caption: "Let's go, @lionesses! 🏴," emphasizing the Prince and Princess's enthusiasm in cheering on their country's team. They're no strangers to the sport, as Prince William is known to be a patron of The Football Association, so it's no surprise he and Princess Charlotte made the trip out to Basel, Switzerland to catch this important match in-person. Crystal Pix/In the photo above, though, the two are seen at their seats looking disappointed as Spain took on a 1-0 lead. If you want to keep up with the score yourself, there are plenty of updates to be found (even as I write this England managed to tie the game!), but I have a feeling that, whatever way it turns out, Prince William and Princess Charlotte will be celebrating the Lionesses making it into this championship match (and we might even catch a few more photos when the game wraps). Prince Harry Just Channeled Meghan Markle in the Most Thoughtful Way Why You Should Trust Us PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women's walking shoes that won't hurt your feet, we've got you covered. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Prince George beams in never-before-seen photo released to mark his 12th birthday
The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a stunning photo of Prince George to mark his 12th birthday. The future King, who was born on July 22, 2013 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, looks angelic as ever as he beams in the photo, released via Kensington Palace. The snap, understood to have been taken earlier this year by one of the family's favourite videographers and photographers, Josh Shinner in Norfolk. It echoes Prince Louis 's seventh birthday portrait, released in April. In the snap, the future king is dressed in a white checked shirt layered with a khaki gilet as he leans over a wooden gate and smiles into the camera. He also appears to be wearing a friendship bracelet made of blue-coloured threads - in a trend that he and his sister Charlotte have previously taken part in. George, who is the eldest of the Wales children with younger siblings Charlotte, 10 and Louis, seven, was first introduced to the world when his mother Kate and father William stepped out of the Lindo Wing with him in their arms. Dressed in a summery powder blue frock, Kate glowed as she and William revealed their first child, George Alexander Louis, to the world. George, who currently attends Lambrook School in Berkshire, will move to secondary education when he reaches the age of 13 - although it has not yet been confirmed which institution his parents have chosen to send him to. Among the schools reportedly being considered were his father's alma mater; Eton College, and his mother's; Marlborough College. While nothing is confirmed yet, the Mail on Sunday reported last month that £63,000-a-year Eton was the frontrunner for Kate and William. A source told the paper: 'All roads lead to Eton.' Sport-loving George has delighted royal fans around the world with public appearances alongside his parents at sporting events; including Aston Villa matches with his father and, most recently, the men's Wimbledon final. The 12-year-old sat alongside his parents and sister Charlotte to watch defending champion Carlos Alcaraz take on World No. 1 Jannik Sinner - before the Italian smashed the Spaniard to lift the trophy. An animated George watched in apparent frustration as his favourite player dropped sets to Sinner, and appeared downcast at the final result. It has been widely reported in the past that George and Charlotte are huge Alcaraz fans, and the pair have rejoiced at the 22-year-old's Wimbledon wins in the last two years. Indeed the Princess of Wales revealed in 2024 that Princess Charlotte had been supported Alcaraz as he beat Novak Djokovic to lift the Wimbledon trophy. Prince George was first introduced to the world in 2013 when his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales held him in their arms on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London George looked solemn as his mother Kate, patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, descended on Centre Court to award Alcaraz the runner-up dish while Sinner was awarded the winner's trophy. Earlier in the day, the future King revealed tennis is one of the sports he plays as an extracurricular activity; humbly suggesting he's 'alright' at the sport. Ahead of the men's final, George arrived with his family to the All England Club where he chatted to doubles champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool. Chatting to the royals, Cash asked George and Charlotte if they play 'tennis'. The pair both nodded, before Cash replied, 'Are you good?'. The future king then modestly quipped: 'I was alright'. While the Prince and Princess of Wales have gone to great lengths to protect George's privacy in childhood, they have previously revealed fleeting details of his interests and hobbies. Among them is his love of Aston Villa FC as he takes after his father Prince William in supporting the West Midlands-based side. George has long been attending matches with his father, looking the image of William as he goes through the rollercoaster of emotions of supporting a football team. The Prince and Princess of Wales also revealed insights into their eldest son's music taste in recent years, sharing that he's something of a rock fan. The Princess of Wales snapped her eldest son in Norfolk just a few weeks before his eighth birthday Little lion! Prince George captured by Kate in an England football shirt to mark his sixth birthday in 2019 In 2023, during a Big Lunch event to celebrate the King's Coronation, William told a royal fan that George was a fan of classic rock bands. Caroline Mulvihill, from the Rock Choir in Windsor and Maidenhead, recounted a conversation she had with the Prince of Wales during the event. 'We were talking about the kind of music we do in Rock Choir and Will was telling us in their household they have a very diverse music taste and George is very much into AC/DC and Led Zeppelin,' she said. Queen singer Adam Lambert has also suggested the young prince is a fan of the classic rock band of which he is now the frontman, replacing founding member Freddie Mercury. Lambert previously recalled a conversation he'd had with the Princess of Wales at her Together at Christmas carol concert, in which she'd spoken to him about Queen's performance at the 2022 Platinum Jubilee concert. He said: 'It was such an honour. I got to meet Princess Kate, which was fabulous. She was absolutely lovely and down to earth and charming. 'She was talking about her son [George] recalling the performance with the Queen at the Palace for the Platinum Jubilee two years before. Adam continued: 'She was like, he said: "Oh is Adam going to play his guitar?" 'She said, "I think he was confused who was playing guitar and who was who but he remembered who you were." I was like, "Oh, that is cute".' The bizarre royal protocol Prince George will now have to follow as the future king celebrates his 12th birthday Today is Prince George's 12th birthday and an important milestone for the future king in more ways than one. While Prince William and Kate will be considering which school George should join next year, the young prince now faces a significant change in his royal protocol. The strict rule is not enforced until a member of the family turns 12 years old and is designed to protect the line of succession to the British crown. It's a protocol that George's father had to follow and also his grandfather during their times as heirs to the throne. From his birthday today, George will no longer be permitted to fly on the same plane as William. Speaking to MailOnline, royals expert Richard Fitzwilliams explained why this rule is followed. Richard said: 'To ensure the continuity of the institution, King Charles and Prince William never travel together. When Prince George, who is second in line to the throne, turns 12 on July 22, the rule will apply to him but not to his siblings. 'He could travel with them, with Prince William in another aircraft or travel alone. George with his mother and two siblings, Louis and Charlotte, during the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE day. It remains unclear whether it will be William who flys on his own, separate from Kate and the other children, or if George will instead 'It reportedly needed the written permission of the monarch for Charles, when he was Prince of Wales to travel together with Diana and his sons, but before William turned 12 it did happen. 'William and Catherine have travelled together with their children, but when George turns 12 he will have to travel separately.' It remains unclear whether it will be William who flys on his own, separate from Kate and the other children, or if his son will instead. The bizarre rule was established following a string of tragic deaths in the family involving aircrafts. 'The unexpected can happen, as with Prince William of Gloucester's tragic death in 1972, though this was in a competition. 'Prince George, Duke of Kent also died in a plane crash in 1942, which has become controversial. 'Prince Philip's sister, Cecile, died in a plane crash in 1937, giving birth to a stillborn child,' Richard said. These tragedies have only served to reinforce the Royal Family's belief in ensuring the heirs travel separately. The Prince and Princess of Wales alongside a baby George disembark a plane in Australia in 2014. From George's 12th birthday he will need special permission to fly on the same plane as William George joins his father at an event in Buckingham Palace meeting World War Two veterans. And when William ascends to the throne, Charlotte will most likely have to follow the protocol too. Richard noted that a similar policy exists across the pond where the President never travels by plane with the Vice-President. Whilst this is a new royal protocol for the young prince to follow, it just one of many rules George and his siblings will have been following as members of Britain's most famous family. These include always travelling with a change of black clothes should a member of the family die unexpectedly. This rule was introduced after King George VI died while Elizabeth was in Kenya and she did not have any black clothes. The children also face limits on what they can and can't wear with the girls expected to wear dresses and the boys must wear shorts. On top of this, they can never eat shellfish while on a royal tour to avoid food poisoning. As Prince George gets older, he will be expected to attend more and more official royal engagements. George was snapped beaming as he shook hands with one esteemed veteran In May, George joined other members of the Royal Family for a tea party at Buckingham Palace to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The future monarch looked natural as he, alongside his parents, chatted away to World War Two veterans. Prince William proudly told 101-year-old Alfred Littlefield, from Portchester, that George is 'interested' in learning about those who served. The royal added that it was 'very important' for his eldest and the 'next generation' to hear the stories from those who fought for our nation. George was snapped beaming as he shook hands with one esteemed veteran. The Prince and Princess of Wales face the big decision of deciding which school George will attend once he turns 13 next year. In April, the Daily Mail's Richard Eden reported that Prince George visited Eton College before the boarding school broke up for the Easter holidays to see where he would stay if he goes to his father's alma mater next year. Although George might be expected to follow in his father's footsteps and attend £63,000-per-year Eton, it remains unclear if he will do so. There has been speculation that George could follow the example of his mother, the Princess of Wales, and her siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, and attend Marlborough College, the Wiltshire boarding school where annual fees are £59,000. Unlike Eton, Marlborough is co-educational. George's parents have been spotted at a number of potential choices, including Highgate School in north London. Catherine was reported to be attracted to Highgate because it has a 'world-class' drama department. However, it would seem an unlikely choice as it is 30 miles from Windsor and commuting across the capital could take an hour each way. Richard Eden says that Eton remains the family's preferred choice as William, Catherine and their three children live mainly at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park, which is just a short walk away. George has four terms left at Lambrook School, in the Berkshire countryside, where his sister, Princess Charlotte, aged nine, and Prince Louis, six, are also day pupils. Eton's Provost – equivalent of chairman of governors at other schools - is Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the former Conde Nast magazine boss who is a friend of the royals. He made clear last December that he would not be doing any favours for chums, however high-born. 'I find myself receiving a torrent of letters and emails from friends of friends, hinting that they hope I can help them secure a place for their sons or grandsons,' Sir Nicholas wrote in The Spectator magazine. 'There is a rigorous admissions system here, run with integrity, and it is awkward when the prospective boy hasn't caught the selector's eye.'
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
William and Kate release new photo for Prince George's birthday
Prince George has celebrated his 12th birthday, with the Prince and Princess of Wales releasing a new photograph to mark the occasion. The image, taken by photographer Josh Shinner, shows the future king smiling and relaxed outdoors, leaning on a rustic wooden gate in Norfolk. Posted on Kensington Palace 's social media, the photograph depicts George wearing a white checked shirt, a dark green fleece gilet, and a blue and white friendship bracelet. George is one year away from being a teenager and has one year left at Lambrook prep school before moving to a senior school, with Eton or Marlborough College thought to be frontrunners. His birthday falls during his summer break, and he recently attended the Wimbledon men's final and the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
