While most of us only have to think about bringing our passports and packing some fresh clothes when traveling, Royals have to follow extreme rules and quite specific protocols whenever they’re traveling, especially if they’re going abroad.
One of the main activities an active member of the Royal Family has to carry out is actually traveling, whether if it’s abroad to maintain important international relationships or throughout the UK to attend inaugurations or sponsor programs.
So, what are those specific protocols they must follow that most of us would think are exaggerated or too over the top? Here we tell you.
Color-coded suitcases
Royals can’t just pick cute and functional luggage to pack their things, they use very special and secure ones to make sure their personal property is safe and protected. Besides that, they follow color-coded systems that allow those manipulating the suitcases to know whose the owner and where must they be sent. For instance, green suitcases go directly to the hotel, blue ones have to travel on the cabin to be available for Royals all the time, and yellow suitcases are sent directly to the British embassy of the place they’re visiting. Also, suitcases have special color tags that indicate the owner of the suitcases as well as their name always visible at all times. Kate’s tag color is blue while Queen Elizabeth’s is yellow.
Wear something black
When King George VI passed, Elizabeth was in Africa. At her sudden return, no one was really prepared to follow the succession nor funerary protocols including having a black outfit ready for the new Queen to descend the plane. Once she landed she had to wait for a black dress to be brought into the plane. After all that mayhem, all royals have to pack a funeral-appropriate black outfit in case someone from the family passes.
Honoring the visiting country
Royals, or actually their staff, have to make thorough research on the traditions and national symbols of the country they’re visiting. That is to wear some of the national colors or flowers representing and pay tribute to their host. Royal women tend to wear dresses with those colors and also add some of the local flowers somewhere on their outfits or jewelry. Men, on the other hand, have to wear their military medals as well as handkerchieves or ties with the colors or symbols of the country. All this has to be made out of absolute respect following the local customs and traditions.
Royal heirs shouldn’t travel together
Since the Royals started traveling on planes, and after some particular tragedies, one of the most important rules is that heirs to the crown can’t travel together on the same plane. That means that the Queen can’t travel with Charles, William, nor little George, and so on. This is to protect the royal lineage. However, in recent years, the protocol has been relaxed a little bit especially after the extreme safety rules and protocols air travel has nowadays. Diana used to take William with them when they were touring and William and Kate have traveled with George and Charlotte on the same plane.
Prioritize British airlines
Although the Royal family has private planes at their disposal, Royals often travel in commercial lines. If that’s the case, they must prioritize British companies, being British Airways the most used one by them. Especially William and his family are among the Royals who travel more commonly on these commercial planes.
Learn the language
Although most of the people they meet abroad are pretty much fluent in English, as a sign of respect and to pay tribute to their hosts, Royals have to learn at least the basic greetings of the country they’re visiting. That includes mannerisms and some basic phrases for them to communicate with their hosts.
Bring their own alcohol
Most of these trips are fast and full of commitments to attend. This means, that they don’t have much time to relax and have some drinks. However, most of these events do include toasts and receptions including booze and for safety issues, they must drink the booze they bring themselves. Among their luggage, they have to pack a stash of alcohol for these events.
Bring your own blood
This might be one of the most far-fetched protocols but it kind of makes sense. Royals, especially the Queen, always travel with some packs of their own blood in case of an emergency. That is to avoid losing precious time while trying to get the same blood type for an emergency transfusion. Also, regarding health matters, besides bringing their own medical staff when traveling abroad, their team must make some research on where are the closest hospitals and doctors in case something were to happen.
Traveling with two pairs of the same outfit
Not all Royals follow this rule but someone who’s known for doing so is Queen Elizabeth II. She always packs two pairs of each of her outfits so she has one ready in case of a wardrobe malfunction or if she stains her clothes with something. That’s why she always looks so tidy!
Photos from Wikimedia Commons / @clarencehouse / @dukeandduchessofcambridge / @sussexroyal / @theroyalfamily
