Monarch takes unique precaution during international tours
King Charles III travels with an unusual item during his official engagements abroad—his own personal blood supply, a measure recommended by his doctor. As the King and Queen Camilla prepare for their upcoming tour to Australia and Samoa, this precaution ensures he is ready for any medical emergencies in regions where reliable blood supplies may be uncertain.
This practice has long been part of royal protocol. In 2016, it was reported that both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles would travel with a Royal Navy doctor and their own blood packs during international tours. The doctor remains close at hand, carrying essential emergency medical equipment.
While King Charles’s travel preparations are extensive, there’s one item he doesn’t need: a passport. As the British monarch, he is exempt from carrying one, as passports are issued in his name. Following Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, new passports bearing King Charles’s name were issued in 2023, marking a historic change in U.K. documents.
