Imagine needing to pack for an international trip, but you don’t need a passport.
It sounds impossible, but it’s actually the reality for the British monarch!
Because every British passport is issued in the name of the reigning King, it is legally unnecessary for him to issue one to himself.
This means King Charles III travels the world without a passport booklet.
But there’s a catch: this royal perk only applies to the monarch. Every other member of the royal family — including the Queen and the Prince of Wales — must carry a valid diplomatic passport when crossing borders.
The UK isn’t the only country with this rule either.
In Japan, the Emperor and Empress are also exempt from holding passports for a similar historical reason.
