Surprising reason senior royals like Kate Middleton don’t wear a seatbelt revealed by expert
Topics: Kate Middleton, King Charles III, Prince William, Royal Family
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Topics: Kate Middleton, King Charles III, Prince William, Royal Family
The royal family's 'security team' ensure that in some cases, senior members are not required to wear a seatbelt.
As we have learned over time, there are some really bizarre rules that members of the royal family are made to follow - some of which include bringing a black outfit when traveling, while also prohibiting two heirs from flying on the same flight.
But it doesn't stop there as it also extends to words they can and can't use, and if you are a senior member, then you may have to follow different rules from others in the Royal Family, like Kate Middleton who has five more to think about than her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle.
However, failing to wear your seatbelt while travelling in a car in the UK is illegal, which begs the question - why do we almost never see the royals wearing one?
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Well, the decision was made in their best interests by members of their security team, who want to ensure they can extract royals from a car easily in an emergency situation.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, British security expert, Michael Chandler, said: "The main reason royals might not wear security belts is because of security considerations. As you might imagine, there's concerns about extracting a principal from a vehicle as quickly as possible."
He also revealed that they call it a 'risk-based approach'. So, on more lengthy trips, its looked upon more favourably that royals will wear their seatbelt, as the security expert added: "There'll be a risk assessment, the outcome of which will determine whether or not there needs to be extra precautions. They do actually wear seatbelts, probably much more than people realise.
"On those occasions where they're travelling relatively quickly through London or on motorways - they will certainly wear seatbelts."
He also noted that convenience plays a huge part in the decision, depending on the length of the car journey.
Chandler said: "If they're in and out of a vehicle, royals will be less inclined to fit their seatbelt every time they get out of the car."
And while King Charles has 'legal immunity' as a reigning sovereign, the expert noted just how unlikely it was for the police to ever pull over a royal, for something considered a minor offence.
Chandler added: "They're unlikely to be arrested when it was a decision made by someone who's looking after them.
"In short, the police who provide the protection aren't likely to be challenged by their policing colleagues."