Kate Middleton receives an unexpected warning: Kensington Palace is like this

When British royalty travel, it's not just about packing bags and getting on a plane. Behind every trip, there is a complex system of rules that regulates every detail. This is explained by protocol expert María José Gómez Verdú, who has revealed the rules that figures like Kate Middleton, Prince William, or King Charles III himself must follow.

A travel routine far from common

The guidelines start before takeoff. One of the most curious aspects is that two direct heirs, like William and his son George, should not fly together as a precaution. Although this rule has been relaxed in recent years, it remains in place as a symbolic measure to ensure the line of succession.

Luggage is also dictated by protocol: they must not only carry outfits prepared for each event, but they also always include a black outfit. They must be ready in case of a death in the family. This is to avoid what happened to Queen Elizabeth II when she was a princess and learned of her father's death in Kenya, without mourning clothes at hand.

From suitcase codes to spare blood

Each suitcase carries a tag with the owner's initials and a color system indicating its destination. Green for the hotel, blue for cabin travel, and yellow if it is headed to a specific residence. This logistics help keep everything organized to the millimeter without room for errors.

But the organization doesn't end with clothing: health security is also key. "Each trip includes a medical team and a reserve of blood compatible with each royal member, in case a medical emergency occurs abroad," says Gómez Verdú. This practice has also been applied in the Spanish Royal House since the reign of Juan Carlos I.

As for documentation, King Charles III doesn't need a passport, as all documents are issued in his name. The rest of the family must carry theirs, something that also happens in Spain, where Letizia has an ID because she wasn't born into the royal family.

Curious rules and royal quirks that surprise

Once they arrive at their destination, the protocol continues: from how to curtsy to where to step on the red carpet, everything is rehearsed beforehand. Nothing is left to chance. There are even clear prohibitions: selfies, autographs, and eating shellfish during official trips are not allowed to avoid food poisoning.

Gifts are not freely accepted either: each gift received becomes part of the Crown's inventory, reinforcing the idea that the royal figure is institutional, not personal. Another striking detail: the Windsors bring their own liquor. A custom that has as much to do with security as with personal taste.

Even when they are far away, responsibilities follow them. The famous 'Red Box' with government documents accompanies the king wherever he goes. As Gómez Verdú reminds us: "Not even the monarch is exempt from the routine."

In short, the trips of Charles III, Camilla, William, or Kate Middleton are regulated by a system where everything is thought out. "All this ceremonial may seem excessive, even anachronistic," the expert points out. But it is also part of what makes the British monarchy a symbol and an inexhaustible source of curiosities.