Since ascending the throne in September 2022, King Charles has visited 10 countries – and did not need a passport for any of them. In fact, the King will never need to travel with a passport again because the reigning monarch is not required to have one.
The rule is laid out on the monarchy’s official website and reads: “When travelling overseas, the Sovereign does not require a British passport.
“As a British passport is issued in the name of His Majesty, it is unnecessary for The King to possess one. All other Members of the Royal Family, including The Queen and The Prince of Wales, have passports.”
The rule was also true for the late Queen Elizabeth II, who never carried a passport to any of the 117 countries she visited during her 70-year reign. Charles was required to travel with a passport when he was a prince.
The first page of British passports contains a representation of the Royal Arms, together with the following 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.
© Getty Images“In Realms (Commonwealth countries where The King is Sovereign), a similar formula is used, except that the request to all whom it may concern is made in the name of the Realm’s Governor-General, as The King’s representative in that Realm. In Canada, the request is made in the name of His Majesty by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
Royal wedding
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s most recent outing was on Saturday, when they attended the wedding of his grandson Peter Phillips to Harriet Sperling.
However, they were forced to miss out on the reception, which was held at Princess Anne’s home, Gatcombe Park.
Just minutes after Peter and Harriet said ‘I do’ in Kemble, the monarch and his wife were whisked off to the Epsom Downs Racecourse by helicopter. The royal pair were clearly in a rush to get to the races, opting to wear their wedding outfits, with Charles looking suave in his suit and Camilla looking beautiful in her cream dress and yellow-brimmed hat.
© GettyHarriet chose a column-style dress with a lace neckline and sleeves, and a dramatic train designed by Emilia Wickstead.
In the lead-up to the big day, there were questions over whether Harriet would wear a tiara, a decision that must be approved by the royal family. As Peter’s mother, Princess Anne, famously declined royal titles for her children upon Peter’s birth in 1977, Harriet does not inherit a royal title through her marriage. However, precedent was set in 2008 when Peter’s first wife, Autumn Kelly, wore Princess Anne’s antique Festoon tiara.
With the close blessing of the Princess Royal, Harriet wore a dazzling, vintage diamond and pearl tiara loaned by Pragnell, the same British jeweller behind her stunning engagement ring and wedding earrings.
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