Members of the Royal Family enjoy heading off on royal tours – but there are a number of rules and regulations they still have to follow when they travel abroad
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in Samoa for a three-day state visit following a colourful six-day stay in Australia. The royal couple travelled 10,000 miles across 10 different time zones in order to take part in the overseas tour – it’s Charles’s first trip to a British realm since he became monarch, and the furthest he has travelled since starting cancer treatment in February.
The couple have been in high spirits since touching down in Australia last week, and it’s little wonder. Tours are always a highlight for the Royal Family, giving them the chance to visit far flung countries, learn about different cultures and raise awareness about important issues. But there are a number of traditions and regulations they must follow when they travel abroad – including one rule that has been broken on a number of occasions.
They always pack a black outfit
Royal protocol dictates that members of the Royal Family must take a black outfit with them when going on a royal tour, in the unfortunate event that someone passes away when they’re abroad.
Members of the Royal Family are all expected to wear black when mourning as a mark of respect. The most recent example of this rule coming into effect was back in 1992 when Princess Diana’s father, Lord Spencer, passed away. At the time, she was away on a skiing holiday with the then-Prince Charles. They quickly returned to the UK, and were photographed both dressed in all-black attire.
Famously, the late Queen Elizabeth II was in Kenya on a safari with Prince Philip when her own father, King George VI, died in 1952. The then-Princess, just 25 at the time, was without a mourning dress and as a result, she wasn’t allowed to be photographed until a suitable outfit had been brought to her.
Fly with British Airways if they can
As the British Royal Family, it’s understandable that they are encouraged to fly with the country’s flagship airline when travelling abroad. However, this rule is flexible given that it’s not always a possibility. For instance, when Prince William and Kate flew to Pakistan, they flew in an RAF jet for security reasons.
And it only extends to royal tour visits, for holidays, royals are fine to fly with whichever airline they desire if they choose to fly commercially.
Learn the basics of their host country
As representatives of the monarchy and the nation, royals are expected to learn the basic greetings in each country’s native language before they visit. Etiquette expert Myka Meier told Reader’s Digest: “The internal palace aids will always be on hand to prepare each royal before an important visit. It is the correct protocol to practice the etiquette of the country or culture you are visiting, in order to show respect, so each royal knows how to make the best first impression.”
Carefully-selected clothing
The intention of overseas visits is to strengthen and maintain ties with foreign nations and therefore royals make concerted efforts to honour and respect the cultures of the countries they visit.
Writing for Town & Country , royal family biographer Marcia Moody explained: “Adhering to dress codes means that for some countries hemlines, sleeve-lengths, and necklines need to be considered.
“Men may need tie pins, medals, sashes, and handkerchiefs. Women often pay respect to the country with a national flower or symbol incorporated into their clothing. Symbolic colours are chosen, significant jewellery decided upon.”
All change on the plane
Ever wondered why the royals always look immaculate when they disembark? It’s because they’ve only recently changed into the clothes they’re wearing. Royal expert Marcia Moody further told Town & Country: “Last minute briefings are given on the plane, and the royals will change out of travelling clothes into their outfits at the last minute to avoid wrinkling or spills.”
Tours shouldn’t last longer than two weeks
In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for royals to tour entire continents for months on end. But that is now deemed too long and royal tours are only expected to last for two weeks. That does mean, however, that royals on tour will often have to squeeze in several engagements in one day.
Pack your own blood
The health of a monarch is of top importance and, as such, a doctor will always travel with them. And they are expected to pack blood bags that match the monarch’s blood type in case of an emergency, especially when the host country might be struggling with its own supply.
In 2016, the Telegraph ‘s Gordon Rayner reported that the late Queen would always travel alongside a Royal Navy doctor, who would research information about local hospitals , whenever she went on a world tour.
“In countries where a reliable blood supply is questionable, the Queen and the Prince of Wales both travel with their own personal packs of blood following in their convoy wherever they go,” he added. “Their doctor is never more than a few paces away, carrying a bulky medical bag containing a mobile defibrillator and all manner of emergency medicine.”
Never fly with your heir
In order to protect the royal lineage, heirs to the throne are unable to fly together. This restriction directly impacts those in line to the throne, and has included William, his father King Charles, and his grandmother, the late Queen .
It will also affect Prince George, who is currently second in line. The tradition was put in place in the event of a catastrophic plane crash, ensuring that an heir to the throne is always protected and the monarchy remains stable.
However, William and Kate have been known to break this rule on a handful of occasions in the past – but only with the permission of the former monarch Queen Elizabeth II. In 2014, the couple flew with their then nine-month-old son George to both New Zealand and Australia – but had to have it signed off by the monarch due to the risk of two heirs travelling together.
