The surprising reason why Princess Kate and Prince William don't wear seatbelts

The Royal Family is known for its traditions, formalities, and carefully followed protocols. While some customs may seem excessive to the average observer, many serve a very specific purpose—often tied to security, ceremony, or symbolism.One protocol that has sparked curiosity is the occasional sight of senior royals not wearing seatbelts while travelling by car.Fans recently noticed Prince William and Princess Kate without their seatbelts on as they arrived at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour event. Though the law typically requires all passengers to wear seatbelts, this instance likely falls under a legal exemption. According to Hello!, UK law allows those “involved in a procession organised by or on behalf of the Crown or which is commonly or customarily held” to go without seatbelts during such occasions.Even when the Prince and Princess of Wales are not taking part in an official procession, they are often surrounded by multiple police or personal protection officers as part of an official motorcade while on duty. In legal terms, this setup might also qualify as a ‘procession,’ potentially granting the same exemption.Simon Morgan, a former royal protection officer and founder of Trojan Consultancy, told Hello! that the choice to wear—or not wear—a seatbelt is assessed on a case-by-case basis. “There are always anomalies,” he said. “In the threat and risk matrix, it's a matter of looking at each individual situation to decide what is the best way of achieving what needs to be achieved.”He explained that in certain scenarios, skipping the seatbelt can be a strategic decision. “For example, considering that a quick entry or exit to a vehicle is easier when people aren't strapped into seatbelts,” he added.Morgan also noted that other elements influence the decision, such as personal comfort, the public nature of an event, and how the royals will be perceived in photos. “Protection is a very unique area of policing and there are a lot of grey areas,” he said. “But you are always judging each situation to weigh up the risks and threats with the outcomes you are trying to achieve.”However, most royals, on their part, are seen wearing seatbelts and following the traffic rules as prescribed for any normal citizen of the UK. Just last week, Queen Mary of Denmark was photographed wearing her seatbelt as she prepared to address a group of business school students. Similarly, Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, were seen with their seatbelts securely fastened while traveling with their children to King Charles III’s Christmas lunch last year.So while it may seem unusual or even unsafe at first glance, the lack of seatbelts in certain royal appearances is a calculated decision shaped by protocol, security, and circumstance.