The royal family's secret travel rules

Unbeknownst to the general public, the British royal family actually have to adhere to some very strict (and occasionally quite bizarre) travel rules and protocols. Rules and protocols that even the King himself can't escape!

You'd never have guessed some of the rules on luggage, clothing, and even alcohol. Browse through this gallery to find out more!

They pack their own blood

It sounds a bit morbid, but King Charles carries around a bag of his own blood!

According to the Telegraph, the Royal Navy always does research on the nearest hospitals to where they royals are staying. And in countries where access to blood transfusions is potentially difficult, the king packs his blood in his luggage!

BYOB

Gin and tonic for King Charles and red wine for Camilla! Yes, this royal pair is known to bring their own booze on their travels. With the utmost discretion, obviously.

Extremely tight schedule

Rather than just jet setting around the world in private jets and living the good life, all of the royal family's foreign visits are actually meticulously planned beforehand and very little time is allocated to relaxing activities like sightseeing.

Everything's prearranged

They might look relaxed and completely at ease in the publicity snaps, but literally every single activity they partake in on their official visits has been carefully arranged beforehand.

Like satellites that orbit planets, so the royals are constantly surrounded by all kinds of assistants and staff keeping them updated on the day's events.

They travel by train

If they have to go somewhere within Great Britain they can take the British Royal Train. 

Greetings in several languages

As they all represent the UK in some official capacity, learning about the culture and customs of the countries they visit is important.

They always pack a black outfit

Any self-respecting royal always brings a black outfit on their travels. This is in case of an unexpected death. Protocol dictates that once they arrive back in the UK they're appropriately dressed for the occasion as quickly as possible.

Immigration

Crowns and lofty titles are all very well, but it doesn't relieve you of being checked by customs and immigration like the rest of us mere mortals.

Heirs never travel together

Though not an official rule, it is custom that no two heirs to the throne should ever travel together by plane. The practice apparently was put in place by Queen Elizabeth in times when air travel posed much more of a risk than it does now.

Their luggage is tagged

All royal trips are perfectly organized. All their luggage has tags with the appropriate name on it.

A small army of employees

They might look like they travel all alone in the official photos, but in reality they travel in large numbers. The British royals have a horde of staffers and employees at their disposal, who take care of absolutely everything during their foreign stays.

Identical outfits

As a British royal, wearing your Sunday best is extremely important. When you're the King of England, ridding your garment of a wine stain with the help of say a hand dryer is totally unthinkable.

Always dressed to the nines

Speaking of clothes, have you ever noticed that the royals never ever seem to be wearing casual clothes while traveling?

Budgetary concerns

According to Hello! Magazine, in 2017 the total cost of all royal travel was US$5.8 million.

No private jets

The royal family are under no official obligation to travel by private jet.