Princess Kate and Prince William are accustomed to following a long list of royal protocols, including several that apply when they travel by air. However, one lesser-known practice involving their seats on commercial flights may come as a surprise.
Former British Airways flight attendant Helena Ford, who later appeared on Love Island, has spoken about her experience helping members of the royal family during a flight. According to Ford, senior royals such as the Prince and Princess of Wales are not necessarily placed in the highest available cabin.
During a conversation on the Private Parts podcast with Olivia Bentley, Ford claimed that when a flight offers a first-class cabin, the royals would instead travel in business class. If first class is unavailable, she said they would use a premium economy-style cabin rather than the highest class offered.
Ford recalled having Boris Johnson on a flight in Traveller Plus and explained that the same general arrangement could apply to royal passengers. She admitted she did not know the precise reason behind the protocol, but said members of the royal family travelled under alternative names.
She also remembered a flight involving William and Kate. Because the aircraft had a first-class cabin, the couple travelled in business class. According to Ford, much of the surrounding business-class cabin was occupied by members of their protection team.
The security personnel, she explained, were dressed like ordinary passengers, making it difficult for other travellers to recognize that they were part of the royal security operation.
Air travel involves several other protocols for the British royal family. One long-discussed tradition concerns heirs to the throne travelling together. The idea behind the practice is to avoid placing multiple future monarchs on the same aircraft in the event of a serious accident.
Former royal pilot Graham Laurie previously discussed Prince William’s childhood travel arrangements during an appearance connected with HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast. Laurie recalled that William travelled with his parents and Prince Harry until he reached the age of 12 in 1994.
After that point, William was generally expected to use a separate aircraft when travelling with his father. Laurie explained that exceptions could be made if the late Queen Elizabeth II gave permission.
However, royal travel practices have evolved over the years. William and Kate have travelled with their children on numerous occasions, including official tours and private journeys. Using separate aircraft for every family trip would be expensive, impractical and difficult to justify from an operational perspective.
A royal spokesman previously explained that there was no formal rule requiring heirs to always travel separately, with the monarch retaining the final authority over such arrangements.
The Wales family also has other travel-related preparations designed to deal with emergencies. One example is the practice of ensuring suitable mourning clothing is available while travelling.
This tradition is linked to an incident involving Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. After receiving news that her father, King George VI, had died, she returned to Britain and reportedly had to wait for staff to bring appropriate mourning clothes before leaving the aircraft.
For William and Kate, therefore, air travel can involve considerably more planning than an ordinary family holiday. From discreet security arrangements and alternative names to longstanding succession protocols, their journeys are carefully organized behind the scenes.
The former flight attendant’s account offers an unusual glimpse into those arrangements, although individual travel procedures can vary depending on the aircraft, destination, security requirements and circumstances of each journey.
Key Takeaways
- Former flight attendant Helena Ford discussed royal air-travel arrangements involving William and Kate.
- She claimed the couple may use business class when first class is available.
- Members of the Wales family’s security team can travel nearby while appearing like ordinary passengers.
- Royal air travel has historically included precautions involving heirs to the throne.
- William’s travel arrangements reportedly changed after he turned 12.
- Modern royal travel has become more flexible because using separate aircraft for family journeys is often impractical and costly.
- Royal travel preparations can also include appropriate mourning clothing in case of a death within the family.
