It was a significant birthday for the young royal—not only because Prince George stepped into the threshold of teenagerdom, but also because it marked a turning point in royal protocol. As the future heir to the throne, his 12th birthday came with a new set of rules—one of the most important being the long-standing regulation that prevents future monarchs from flying together. Traditionally, once a direct heir turns 12, they must begin traveling separately from the next in line, to safeguard the line of succession in the event of an accident.

By this rule, Prince George and his father, Prince William, would have had to begin flying on separate aircrafts following George’s birthday on July 22, 2025. The same rule had applied to William himself when he turned 12, prompting him to travel separately from his father, King Charles. It was a custom meant to protect the monarchy, one upheld for decades.

However, according to reports at the time, the Prince and Princess of Wales quietly questioned whether it was a tradition worth continuing. In discussions with royal advisors, William and Catherine reportedly explored the possibility of altering—or even abandoning—the protocol altogether. Some sources suggested they would seek formal permission from King Charles to override the unwritten rule and continue traveling as a family.

For Catherine, it wasn’t just a matter of protocol. As a devoted mother, she was said to have struggled with the idea of separating from her eldest child during travel—especially at such a tender and formative age. After everything their family had faced, particularly during her recent battle with cancer, maintaining closeness and stability had become even more essential.

“She simply didn’t want to do that to her young prince,” one insider noted. “Catherine has always believed in keeping the family unit strong and present—especially for the children.”

Indeed, William and Catherine have often deviated from rigid royal traditions in favor of a more modern, hands-on approach to parenting. Unlike previous generations where royal children were often left behind during lengthy official tours, the Wales family has made it a point to travel together and support one another whenever possible. During Catherine’s illness, this unity became even more pronounced, and the couple reportedly became even more determined to prioritize their children’s emotional well-being.

Royal expert Philip Mutz echoed this sentiment, saying: “It never came as a surprise. William and Kate have always put their children first, and keeping George close—even in matters of tradition—is just another example of that.”

As of now, no formal statement was issued on whether the protocol had been officially scrapped, but actions often spoke louder than royal decrees. The Wales family continued to be seen traveling as a unit, suggesting that the old rule had quietly been set aside—at least for now.

And as expected, George’s 12th birthday was marked not just by tradition, but by the release of an adorable new portrait—capturing a boy growing up under the world’s gaze, yet wrapped in the quiet strength of a very modern royal family.