Royal tours are a well-oiled machine, meticulously planned down to the smallest detail, including the rules royals must follow. The latest royal tour, with King Charles and Queen Camilla visiting Australia and Samoa, is a testament to these traditions, especially significant as it’s the King’s first large-scale tour since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
The couple began their nine-day tour on Friday, October 18, and will wrap it up on Saturday, October 26. As they embark on this journey, several key rules and protocols guide their every move, ensuring their royal engagements remain flawless and dignified. Here are some standout rules that royals must adhere to during their tours:
1. Black Outfits Are a Required Item on the Packing List
When Queen Elizabeth II was abroad in Kenya in 1952, she tragically learned of her father’s death, but she did not have mourning clothes on hand. As a result, royals now always pack a black outfit when they travel, ensuring they can appropriately handle any unexpected family emergencies, like the death of a close family member, while abroad.
2. Changing Clothes on the Plane
To ensure they look their best upon arrival, royals change their clothes on the plane just before landing. This helps avoid wrinkles or spills from the long flight and ensures they are polished and presentable for the waiting photographers.
3. Try to Fly British Airways
As the U.K.’s flagship airline, British Airways is the preferred choice for royal travel on official tours. However, when security is a concern or special arrangements are needed, royals may fly in other aircraft, such as the Royal Air Force jets, as seen during Prince William and Kate Middleton’s visit to Pakistan in 2019.
4. Undergo a Crash Course on the Country You’re Visiting
Royal family members are expected to learn key phrases in the native language of the country they are visiting and understand the local customs to show respect for the culture. King Charles, for instance, has been practicing local greetings ahead of his visit to Samoa.
5. Practice Diplomatic Dressing and Fashion Diplomacy
Royals are keenly aware of how their clothing can send a message. Often, royal women will wear designers from the countries they visit to honor the culture. Men, too, adjust their outfits to reflect respect, sometimes incorporating national symbols or colors into their attire. This fashion diplomacy plays a subtle but significant role in strengthening ties with the host nation.
6. Prepare to Be Busy
Royal tours are packed with engagements, and the royals must prepare for long, busy days. For instance, King Charles and Queen Camilla’s current tour includes 36 engagements in just nine days. Modern royal tours are typically shorter than in the past, but the schedule is always intense, focusing on both official duties and cultural engagement.
7. Monarchs Must Travel with Blood Matching Their Specific Blood Type
A royal health protocol involves carrying bags of blood matching the monarch’s blood type in case of emergencies, especially in countries where the blood supply may not be reliable. Both King Charles and Queen Camilla travel with a medical team and personal supplies of blood, ensuring their safety in remote or underdeveloped regions.
8. Heirs Fly Separately
To ensure the continuity of the line of succession, heirs to the throne, such as Prince William and Prince George, are required to fly on separate planes. This policy dates back to when Prince William turned 12 and was no longer allowed to fly with his father, Prince Charles. The rule is in place to prevent any potential crisis that could wipe out the royal family in one tragic event.
These strict protocols reflect not only the security and image management necessary for the monarchy’s survival but also the deep sense of duty that the royal family carries as they represent the United Kingdom across the globe. Every detail of their royal tours is carefully planned, ensuring they fulfill their responsibilities to both their country and the international communities they visit with grace, respect, and consideration.
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