King Charles abstains from a specific item during his travels, contrasting Queen Camilla and Prince William who pack it.
In an intriguing twist of royal tradition, it has been revealed that King Charles III, like his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, does not carry a passport when traveling abroad. This exception, however, applies only to the monarch themselves and not the rest of the Royal Family.
The tradition dates back to Queen Elizabeth's reign, when an incident occurred during a visit to Kenya. The Queen found herself without a black outfit, a piece of attire used as a mark of respect and to be prepared for attending a funeral if necessary. Lady Pamela Hicks, who was Queen Elizabeth's Lady-in-Waiting, recalled that one black dress had to be "smuggled" onto Queen Elizabeth's plane when she returned from Kenya after her father's death.
This incident was not repeated when King George VI passed away at Sandringham in 1952. The royals bring a black outfit with them for overseas trips as a precaution in case someone in the Royal Family passes away.
The rule about not needing a passport was famously reminded by Queen Elizabeth to artist Chris Levine, who captured her iconic portrait, Lightness of Being. Levine recalled the Queen saying, "One doesn't need a passport."
In contrast, King Charles had to pack a passport for overseas trips until he became King in September 2022. British passports are issued in the name of His Majesty, but there's no need for the King to possess one himself. This is because the first page of a British passport has the wording, "His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary."
Despite not needing a passport, King Charles has undertaken twelve overseas trips since he became monarch. In April, King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary during State Visits to Italy and Vatican City. King Charles tends to enjoy his private breaks in the UK.
The information about the "smuggled" black dress was reported by Metro, shedding light on this unique aspect of the royal tradition. It's a reminder of the intricate rituals and customs that surround the British monarchy, even in the most unexpected moments.
