Over the years, Prince William and Princess Kate have been spotted travelling in ways that feel refreshingly down to earth. In 2015, passengers were stunned to find Prince William on a Ryanair flight from Norfolk to Scotland while he was training with the East Anglian Air Ambulance. One traveller even shared a photo with The Sun, saying it was unexpected but refreshing to see a senior royal on a budget airline.
A few years later, in 2019, William and Kate flew with Flybe to Balmoral, travelling alongside their two eldest children at the time, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The images quickly circulated, reinforcing the idea that the couple are not opposed to commercial travel when appropriate.
What many people did not know, however, is that there are specific rules governing how they fly.
The rule they reportedly cannot break
The detail emerged in an unexpected setting. During Love Island All Stars, former flight attendant Helena Ford shared her experience of having the royal couple onboard. While chatting with fellow contestant Belle Hassan, Helena revealed that William and Kate are not permitted to fly in the highest cabin class when travelling on public flights funded by the Government.
According to Helena, if a flight offers First Class, the couple must book Business Class instead. If First Class is not available, they would travel in the next highest cabin, often referred to as Traveller’s Plus or Premium Economy. She explained that during one flight she worked on, First Class was available, so they were seated in Business as required.
Helena also claimed that Business Class on that occasion was largely occupied by security personnel, and that the royals travelled under alternative names to maintain privacy. She described them as polite and pleasant passengers, adding that she had also served celebrities such as Stormzy and Hugh Grant during her time as cabin crew.
How royal travel is funded
The rule Helena described appears to align closely with how royal travel is financed. Under the Sovereign Grant Act 2011, the UK Government provides an annual payment to fund the official duties of the monarch and certain working members of the Royal Family. This funding covers travel for official engagements, staffing costs, and the maintenance of royal residences and assets.
Because public money is involved in many official trips, travel arrangements are expected to reflect value for money and responsible spending. While security considerations often require additional measures, cabin class choices are reportedly guided by these funding principles.
Although the couple are sometimes seen on private aircraft for overseas tours or high level engagements, their willingness to fly commercially when appropriate continues to attract attention.
In the end, the image of future monarchs quietly following standard cabin rules adds another layer to the public perception of William and Kate. Royal life may come with privilege, but in some cases, even they cannot upgrade to First Class.
