From Black Mourning Clothes to Bags of Blood, the Royal Family Has a Handful of Rules to Follow While on Royal Tours

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for a visit in Canberra at Defence Establishment Fairbairn, Canberra Airport on Oct. 21, 2024 in Canberra, Australia.Photo:Tracey Nearmy/Getty

Tracey Nearmy/Getty

Royal tours are meticulously planned efforts — right down to rules royals themselves must follow.Themost recent royal touris underway, asKing CharlesandQueen Camillakicked off their visit to both Australia and Samoa on Friday, Oct. 18, spending six days Down Under before heading to Samoa on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The tour — especially significant as it marks the King’s first tour of this size and scale since beingdiagnosed with cancerearlier this year — is set to wrap up on Saturday, Oct. 26.When it comes to tour protocol, here are a few standout rules all royals must follow.

Royal tours are meticulously planned efforts — right down to rules royals themselves must follow.

Themost recent royal touris underway, asKing CharlesandQueen Camillakicked off their visit to both Australia and Samoa on Friday, Oct. 18, spending six days Down Under before heading to Samoa on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The tour — especially significant as it marks the King’s first tour of this size and scale since beingdiagnosed with cancerearlier this year — is set to wrap up on Saturday, Oct. 26.

When it comes to tour protocol, here are a few standout rules all royals must follow.

01of 08Black Outfits Are a Required Item on the Packing ListKate Middleton, Princess of Wales is driven down The Mall after the funeral for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Sept. 19, 2022 in London, England.Tom Jenkins - WPA Pool/GettyQueen Elizabethwas famously on a royal tour herself, Kenya specifically, alongside husbandPrince Philipon Feb. 6, 1952, when word arrived that her beloved father, King George VI, had died unexpectedly — making her the new monarch.The royal, just 25 at the time, had no mourning clothes with her, “and as a result, she wasn’t allowed to be photographed until a suitable outfit had been brought to her,” according to theMirror.In an effort to make sure that never happens again, members of the royal family must pack a black outfit with them when going on tour in the event that someone should die when they’re away. In 1992, whenPrincess Diana’s father died, the late Princess of Wales was on a skiing holiday with her husband, then-Prince Charles. They quickly returned to the U.K. — and were photographed in mourning clothes when they did so.

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Black Outfits Are a Required Item on the Packing List

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales is driven down The Mall after the funeral for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Sept. 19, 2022 in London, England.Tom Jenkins - WPA Pool/Getty

Tom Jenkins - WPA Pool/Getty

Queen Elizabethwas famously on a royal tour herself, Kenya specifically, alongside husbandPrince Philipon Feb. 6, 1952, when word arrived that her beloved father, King George VI, had died unexpectedly — making her the new monarch.

The royal, just 25 at the time, had no mourning clothes with her, “and as a result, she wasn’t allowed to be photographed until a suitable outfit had been brought to her,” according to theMirror.

In an effort to make sure that never happens again, members of the royal family must pack a black outfit with them when going on tour in the event that someone should die when they’re away. In 1992, whenPrincess Diana’s father died, the late Princess of Wales was on a skiing holiday with her husband, then-Prince Charles. They quickly returned to the U.K. — and were photographed in mourning clothes when they did so.

02of 08Changing Clothes on the PlanePrince William and Kate Middleton arrive at LAX Airport on July 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.WireImageIn a similar vein, members of the royal family change clothes while in flight to look put together and polished on arrival — where photographers are always waiting.“Last minute briefings are given on the plane, and the royals will change out of traveling clothes into their outfits at the last minute to avoid wrinkling or spills,” royal family biographer Marcia Moody toldTown & Country.

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Changing Clothes on the Plane

Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive at LAX Airport on July 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.WireImage

In a similar vein, members of the royal family change clothes while in flight to look put together and polished on arrival — where photographers are always waiting.

“Last minute briefings are given on the plane, and the royals will change out of traveling clothes into their outfits at the last minute to avoid wrinkling or spills,” royal family biographer Marcia Moody toldTown & Country.

03of 08Try to Fly British AirwaysBritish Airways Boeing 777-300 Extended Range Edition aircraft specifically 777-36N (ER) as seen on final approach landing at London Heathrow International Airport LHR EGLL in England, UK over the houses of Myrtle Avenue on Oct. 29, 2019.Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via GettyThis rule makes sense, as British Airways is the U.K.’s flagship airline — but flying BA isn’t always possible. For example, when the current Prince and Princess of Wales — then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge —flew to Pakistanin 2019 for a royal visit, they flew in an RAF jet for security reasons.TheMirrorpoints out that this rule is reserved for royal tours and official business — “for holidays, royals are fine to fly with whichever airline they desire if they choose to fly commercially,” according to the outlet.

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Try to Fly British Airways

British Airways Boeing 777-300 Extended Range Edition aircraft specifically 777-36N (ER) as seen on final approach landing at London Heathrow International Airport LHR EGLL in England, UK over the houses of Myrtle Avenue on Oct. 29, 2019.Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty

This rule makes sense, as British Airways is the U.K.’s flagship airline — but flying BA isn’t always possible. For example, when the current Prince and Princess of Wales — then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge —flew to Pakistanin 2019 for a royal visit, they flew in an RAF jet for security reasons.

TheMirrorpoints out that this rule is reserved for royal tours and official business — “for holidays, royals are fine to fly with whichever airline they desire if they choose to fly commercially,” according to the outlet.

04of 08Undergo a Crash Course on the Country You’re VisitingMeghan Markle and Prince Harry in New Zealand.Chris JacksonMembers of the royal family represent the U.K. all the time, but especially when on a royal tour. Royals are expected to learn basic greetings in each country’s native language before visiting — as King Charles has been doingwith aplomb in Samoa— and “internal palace aides will always be on hand to prepare each royal before an important visit,” etiquette expert Myka Meier toldReader’s Digest.“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,” she added.

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Undergo a Crash Course on the Country You’re Visiting

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in New Zealand.Chris Jackson

Chris Jackson

Members of the royal family represent the U.K. all the time, but especially when on a royal tour. Royals are expected to learn basic greetings in each country’s native language before visiting — as King Charles has been doingwith aplomb in Samoa— and “internal palace aides will always be on hand to prepare each royal before an important visit,” etiquette expert Myka Meier toldReader’s Digest.

“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,” she added.

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Practice Diplomatic Dressing and Fashion Diplomacy

Sometimes royals say everything without uttering a word — and those messages are oftensent through clothing. Many times, women of the royal family will wear designers that hail from the country they are visiting, and both men and women make deliberate efforts to honor and respect the cultures of wherever they’re headed.

“Adhering to dress codes means that for some countries hemlines, sleeve lengths and necklines need to be considered,” Moody said. “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 colors are chosen, significant jewelry decided upon.”

06of 08Prepare to Be BusyQueen Camilla and King Charles visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens on Oct. 21, 2024 in Canberra, Australia.Arthur Edwards/Pool/GettyIt wasn’t uncommon in years past for royals to be away for over a month on a royal tour. Not so anymore — the King and Queen’s current tour is nine days, and whenPrince WilliamandKate Middletontraveled tothree countries in the Caribbeanin 2022, they were away for eight days visiting Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas. The present day max, theMirrorreports, is two weeks in length — and each day is typically jam-packed with engagements. On King Charles and Queen Camilla’s current tour, they have 36 engagements packed into their nine-day visit.

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Prepare to Be Busy

Queen Camilla and King Charles visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens on Oct. 21, 2024 in Canberra, Australia.Arthur Edwards/Pool/Getty

Arthur Edwards/Pool/Getty

It wasn’t uncommon in years past for royals to be away for over a month on a royal tour. Not so anymore — the King and Queen’s current tour is nine days, and whenPrince WilliamandKate Middletontraveled tothree countries in the Caribbeanin 2022, they were away for eight days visiting Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas. The present day max, theMirrorreports, is two weeks in length — and each day is typically jam-packed with engagements. On King Charles and Queen Camilla’s current tour, they have 36 engagements packed into their nine-day visit.

07of 08Monarchs Must Travel with Blood Matching Their Specific Blood TypeKing Charles attends a reception to celebrate the bicentenary of the Legislative Council on Oct. 20, 2024 in Sydney Australia.David GRAY - Pool/GettyKing Charles is currentlytraveling with two doctorsto Australia and Samoa and has reportedlypaused his ongoing cancer treatmentfor the visit, resuming it when he returns to the U.K. Bags of blood corresponding with the monarch’s blood type also make the trip in case of an emergency.“In countries where a reliable blood supply is questionable, the [late] Queen and the [former] Prince of Wales both travel with their own personal packs of blood following in their convoy wherever they go,” Gordon Rayner of theTelegraphreported in 2016, adding that a Royal Navy doctor always traveled with Queen Elizabeth and would research information about local hospitals wherever she went.“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,” Rayner added.

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Monarchs Must Travel with Blood Matching Their Specific Blood Type

King Charles attends a reception to celebrate the bicentenary of the Legislative Council on Oct. 20, 2024 in Sydney Australia.David GRAY - Pool/Getty

David GRAY - Pool/Getty

King Charles is currentlytraveling with two doctorsto Australia and Samoa and has reportedlypaused his ongoing cancer treatmentfor the visit, resuming it when he returns to the U.K. Bags of blood corresponding with the monarch’s blood type also make the trip in case of an emergency.

“In countries where a reliable blood supply is questionable, the [late] Queen and the [former] Prince of Wales both travel with their own personal packs of blood following in their convoy wherever they go,” Gordon Rayner of theTelegraphreported in 2016, adding that a Royal Navy doctor always traveled with Queen Elizabeth and would research information about local hospitals wherever she went.

“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,” Rayner added.

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Heirs Fly Separately

In order to preserve the line of succession, heirs to the throne don’t fly together — meaning you won’t see King Charles and his heir, Prince William, on the same flight.

Speaking onA Right Royal Podcast, former royal pilot Graham Laurie said that when Prince William turned 12 in 1994, he could no longer fly with his father. (If the same rules apply toPrince George, that means that William and George will no longer be able to fly together after the 11-year-old turns 12 in July 2025.)

“Interestingly, we flew all four — the Prince [of Wales], the Princess [of Wales], Prince William andPrince Harry— up until Prince William was 12 years old,” Laurie said. “After that, he had to have a separate aircraft, and we could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty [Queen Elizabeth].”

“When William became 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt, and we would fly the 146 out with the other three on,” he continued.

source: people.com