Why Prince William travelled with Princess Charlotte for Euros final without George

Princess Charlotte stunned royal watchers this weekend when she made a surprise solo appearance with Prince William at the Women’s Euro Final in Basel, but now insiders are revealing why big brother George was nowhere to be seen.

Charlotte, nine, looked every inch the royal fan as she cheered for the Lionesses beside her dad at the England vs. Spain showdown in Switzerland. 

Focused, animated, and all smiles, she later mingled with Spain’s Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, marking a rare diplomatic moment for the young royal.

It was Charlotte’s first time attending a major sporting event without her siblings, and her debut in issuing a public message. 

She and William jointly posted to X: “What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England. W & Charlotte.”

But while fans were thrilled to see the princess in action, many were left wondering: why not Prince George, the football-obsessed heir who usually joins his dad for matches?

Royal commentator Emily Nash offered a sweet explanation: “It’s only fair that Charlotte gets her turn. We’ve seen George at plenty of matches, this was a special father-daughter moment.”

But behind the heartwarming moment may lie a much stricter reason: according to royal insiders, once an heir to the throne turns 12, they’re no longer allowed to travel with the monarch or immediate heir.

This is a tradition meant to safeguard the line of succession. Prince George turned 12 just days earlier on July 22, meaning this protocol may now apply.

In other words, William and George can no longer jet-set together quite as freely.

It’s a rule William himself had to follow after his own 12th birthday in 1994, and now, it seems, history is repeating itself.

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