When Prince George turns 12 on July 22, he’ll be met with a significant shift in royal tradition. As the future heir to the British throne, George will no longer be allowed to travel on the same plane as his father, Prince William.
This long-standing rule is in place to safeguard the line of succession, minimizing the risk of losing multiple heirs in the event of an accident. The same travel restriction may eventually apply to Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as well, depending on their positions in the royal succession.
At present, Prince George is second in line to the throne, following Prince William. His younger siblings, 10-year-old Charlotte and 7-year-old Louis, follow him in the order of succession.
Unusual Rules the Royal Children Must Follow
Growing up in the royal family comes with a unique set of guidelines—and George, Charlotte, and Louis are no exception.
No Monopoly at Home
According to The Telegraph, Monopoly is off-limits in the royal household. Back in 2008, Prince Andrew revealed, “We’re not allowed to play Monopoly at home. It gets too vicious.”
All-Weather Outdoor Play
As reported by The Independent, Prince William and Princess Kate are strong advocates for outdoor play, regardless of the weather. Louise Heren, author of Nanny in a Book, shared, “There will be lots and lots of outdoor play… bike rides, playing with their dogs, potentially some gardening.” She added, “Even if it’s pouring down, they will still go outside.”
Strict Dietary Rules
The royal children are also subject to specific dietary restrictions. They don’t eat pre-packaged or store-bought baby food, as they have private chefs who prepare their meals from scratch. They also follow the same no-shellfish rule observed by senior royals, due to the higher risk of food poisoning from shellfish.
Christmas Traditions Set in Stone
During the holidays, the royal children celebrate Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the royal family. However, they dine in a separate room from the adults for Christmas lunch.
Another unique tradition is that they don’t open gifts on Christmas Day. Instead, presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve—a custom introduced by Prince Albert.
According to the Royal Family’s official website, “On Christmas Eve, The Royal Family lay out their presents on trestle tables and exchange gifts at teatime.” The children also help decorate the massive 20-foot tree in the White Drawing Room that evening.
