If you’ve noticed that the Princess of Wales, Prince William, and other members of the British royal family are often photographed in cars without seatbelts, you’re not alone. A British safety expert sheds light on this unusual practice, the reasons for which are more complex than you might think.
Kate Middleton and Prince William don’t wear seatbelts as they arrive at the Diplomatic Corps reception on Dec. 6, 2022. Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Recently, Michael Chandler spoke with the Daily Mail about the rationale behind this decision, revealing that royals often ride without seatbelts due to “security considerations.”
“You can imagine that withdrawing capital from a vehicle as soon as possible raises concerns,” Chandler explained.
“A risk-based approach is likely to be taken,” he added. “There will be a risk assessment, which will determine whether additional precautions need to be taken.”
But it’s not just about safety. Comfort and appearance also play an important role, especially on marked occasions when members of the royal family are required to wear military uniform or evening dress.
When entering and exiting a vehicle, members of the royal family are less likely to buckle up, Chandler explains. For men, for example, seat belts can crease the shirt, which can be another factor.
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They Don’t Always Skip Seatbelts
Before you jump to conclusions, Chandler clarifies that royals do wear seatbelts — probably much more than people realize.
“They wear seatbelts, probably a lot more than people think,” he says. When they drive relatively fast in London or on the highway, they certainly wear their seatbelts.
Legal Implications? Not Likely.
As for King Charles of England, the reason he suffers no legal consequences if he jumps out of his seat belt is simple: he enjoys sovereign immunity.
A very old law, the Bill of Rights of 1689, says that the monarchy is above litigation and the courts,” Baldwin explained. Chandler (who has a law degree as well as experience in the security field).
More recently, he continues, the Crown Proceedings Act of 1947 authorized actions against the government and Crown services but specifically excluded the monarch.
For other members of the royal family, “risk assessment” is essential. The police are unlikely to question the decisions made by security officers.
“If they don’t attend a ceremony, they are not legally exempt, but they are unlikely to be detained if the decision was made by someone in authority,” Chandler explains. “In short, police officers providing protection are not at risk of being questioned by their colleagues.”
Mr. Chandler also points out that Regulation 6E of the Road Traffic Act, updated in 1993, stipulates that vehicles used by police, fire, and emergency services are exempt from the requirement to wear seat belts. “This also applies to diplomatic protection, as it is a service of the Metropolitan Police,” he adds.
A troubling reminder
The Royal Family’s decision not to wear seat belts from time to time may come as a surprise, especially in light of the tragic car accident that claimed the life of Princess Diana in Paris in 1997. Diana, her fiancé Dodi Fayed, and her chauffeur Henri Paul were killed in the Alma Bridge tunnel accident, while Fayed’s bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was seriously injured.
An investigation revealed that none of the car’s occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
This sobering reminder underscores the importance of seatbelt safety — even for those whose lives are governed by tradition, protocol, and extraordinary security measures.
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