A quiet but serious disagreement appears to be unfolding behind palace doors as King Charles and Prince William reportedly clash over a long standing royal travel protocol involving young Prince George.
As Prince George recently turned 12, a royal tradition was triggered that advises heirs to the throne should no longer travel together.
This means Prince William and his eldest son first and second in line to the throne would be expected to travel separately moving forward, in order to safeguard the future of the monarchy in case of a tragic accident. Now, royal experts say King Charles and Prince William are not seeing eye to eye on how to handle the rule.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams revealed there are claims of a disagreement between the monarch and his son over this very issue. “There are reports that the King and William, who is a pilot, disagree over this,” he shared.
Fitzwilliams emphasized the importance of tradition, especially considering how Queen Elizabeth handled similar situations in the past. “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,” he said.
The debate centers around whether the royal family should continue following the unwritten but historically respected rule that heirs travel separately. While not enshrined in law, the tradition has long been followed to protect the monarchy’s continuity.
Fitzwilliams argued that the reasoning remains sound, especially with such a slim pool of younger working royals. “It should be necessary to point out that Harry is fifth in line to the throne, and only four working royals are under 70,” he added. “The need for Prince George as second in line to the throne to fly separately from his father surely makes sense.”
However, it appears Prince William may have a more modern outlook. As a trained pilot and hands-on father, he may feel confident in the safety of modern travel and reluctant to impose such a sudden change on his young son. George has been frequently seen accompanying both parents on royal tours, and separating from his father during travel could feel unnecessary or even distressing for the 12 year old.
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Royal expert Helena Chard supported the idea that King Charles expects tradition to be upheld. “The King has made it known that he expects grandson Prince George to travel separately from Prince William,” she claimed.
Chard added that both William and George will have to “adjust to the change,” suggesting that even if the Prince of Wales resists the shift in protocol, he may ultimately be forced to follow it out of respect for the crown’s wishes.
The disagreement, though quiet, hints at deeper generational divides within the monarchy. King Charles, who spent decades preparing for the throne, remains deeply rooted in royal custom and continuity. Prince William, by contrast, has consistently aimed to modernize the monarchy, balancing tradition with a more relatable, family focused approach.
This growing tension also comes at a time when public scrutiny of the royal family is high. With both King Charles and Princess Kate facing health challenges, and only a handful of working royals under 70, the importance of preserving the line of succession has never felt more urgent.
The protocol question may seem symbolic on the surface, but the stakes are far greater than just one flight. It represents the ongoing push and pull between duty and modern parenting, between generational expectation and personal conviction.
Whether King Charles enforces the tradition or allows William to chart his own course will reveal much about the future direction of the monarchy. As Prince George continues to grow into his royal role, his journey both literal and symbolic will be closely watched by the public and insiders alike.
