Marie Claire reported in the past that Prince William’s use of helicopters as a mode of transport – especially when he’s bringing his wife Kate Middleton and their three children – terrifies the Queen. With many royals, including the Queen herself, heading out on their annual summer vacation, the five Cambridges (and their pup Orla) left Kensington Palace for their own holiday on Monday, boarding a helicopter to get there. This defied the Queen’s orders, according to a royal expert – and once the Cambridges return from holiday, William and Kate are likely to be summoned to speak to Her Majesty about their decision.
Neil Sean quoted a previous report in The Daily Mail who claimed the Queen had “quite firmly spoken to William about it and urged him to refrain from flying helicopters altogether for safety reasons”. The Express reports.
“It looks like Prince William and Catherine have defied the Queen’s orders,” says Sean. “This week they were spotted boarding a helicopter at the rear of Kensington Palace as they enjoy a short holiday. This left the queen worried. It is royal protocol that people travel on separate planes for very obvious safety reasons. Apparently, the Queen spoke quite decisively to William about it. But on this occasion he may have missed it. When Prince William and Catherine return from their short break, they will be called to Windsor to explain the reason for their actions.”
Corresponding The Expresssome reports have claimed that William did, in fact, ask his grandmother’s permission before flying. Royal protocol for members of the royal family – particularly two heirs, such as both Prince William and his eldest son Prince George – not to fly together makes sense for obvious reasons: to protect the future of the monarchy. This rule can currently be overridden to a point with the Queen’s permission, but by the time George turns 12 – in just three years time – he will no longer be able to fly at his father’s side (not even Her Majesty) without exception. .
“To protect the heirs to the throne, the rule is that two or more heirs to the throne cannot travel on the same plane.” The Express reports. “Should a plane carrying multiple heirs crash, the future of the monarchy would be immediately unstable. While George is currently treated like other members of the royal family – and can travel with his family if the Queen allows – he will have to fly separately from his father from the age of 12. William cannot travel with Prince Charles, nor can the Prince of Wales travel with his mother.”
While plane crashes are thankfully rarer today, the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, lost his sister, Princess Cecile, in a plane crash in 1937. The Queen’s uncle, Prince George, Duke of Kent, died in a plane crash in 1942 and her cousin, Prince William of Gloucester, died in 1972 while attending an air show.