In the modern world today, travel has become commonplace for much of the population, advancing our possibilities to explore, discover and enjoy. That said, you may be surprised to learn that someone of such high standing as the Queen of England’s travel has been subject to some rather unusual rules. One of such rules is the debate around whether or not the Queen needs a passport to travel between nations.
The confusion around this topic was heated in the Summer of 2019. This was when particular ‘no passport’ brouhaha surrounded Queen Elizabeth’s visit to France. The monarch who needs only to carry her Royal Cypher, a tiny symbol embossed on the front and back cover of her passport, was travelling to France, it was clarified, not without a passport but with her own personalised passport.
Technically, from an international diplomatic standpoint, the Queen has no free or sovereign right to travel outside the borders of the United Kingdom giving her no obligation to hold a valid passport under the country’s own laws. This is due to the Queen’s constitutionally secured diplomatic immunity. As such, it is up to the majority of the nation’s majority governments in other nations to decide whether diplomatic immunity applies to the Queen when she is travelling.
The Queen’s unique arrangement is a legal one that is subject to revision as each nation has the right to decide on the matter based on the relationship between the two countries. For example, while the Queen now has a valid passport to travel to and from France, she does not need a passport to travel to and from Australia – another Commonwealth member state with a long-standing royal family connection.
Considering that the document bears a rather unique cover – it is hard blue in colour, with no country’s name –and does not share any of the features of ‘regular’ passports issued by the UK, many people have queried its authenticity. However, the document does bear the Queen’s signature, her Royal coat of arms and her photograph. It also contains some of the same security features found on regular passports, such as a magnetic strip and watermarks.
Do Other European Royals Need a Passport to Travel?
Other European royals, such as the monarchs of Sweden and Norway undoubtedly need to carry a passport when travelling outside their borders. This follows a long-standing tradition of granting the sovereigns of Europe a special exception when it comes to passport law, though it should be noted that the requirements of their passports are often on par with the regular passport rules for citizens of the nation.
In several European countries, the Queen’s Special Passport Provision does not apply. These nations, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Switzerland, all insist that royalty must obtain a regular passport in order to travel across their borders.
It should be noted that in the French context, the same ‘no passport’ rule applied to the French president when travelling inside France’s borders. The President of France, unlike the Queen of England, however, does need to carry an official ID in order to travel abroad.
This special policy, granted in the past century, has been modelled on the royal privileges of the past centuries. This was when monarchs traveled freely across the continent without the need for passports as they were insulated by the fact that the countries had formed a network of alliances. Whilst back in the days these arrangements could carry some weight, modern regulations dictate that a passport or another ID document must be produced in order to travel abroad.
How Do Other Permanent Residents Travel Without a Passport?
Unlike the Queen, other permanent residents of England, like any other country, must carry their passport in order to travel abroad. For citizens, a passport is the only acceptable document to prove their identity when crossing a border. There are however, certain exceptions given to people with permanent resident status.
Eligible permanent residents may instead travel with an Alien Registration Card, or a Green Card, that is authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Other exceptions include the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and the Canadian and Mexican Border Crossing Cards. The United Kingdom’s Home Office also has a system of ‘travelling documents’ that can be used by those who do not possess a regular passport or any of the previously listed documents.
The ‘no passport’ rule as it applies to the Queen is still a very murky issue. While the Queen of England is not technically obliged to hold a passport, she is required to carry a state-certified ID document when travelling abroad as per the law of many countries. Other European royalty, unless duly exempted by their home countries, must also carry a valid passport when travelling outside their home nation’s borders. Further, it is important to note that all other embassies and other permanent residents must carry a valid passport or other legal documentation when travelling abroad.
Do Commoners Need a Passport to Travel?
Traditional passport holders, otherwise known as commoners, now require a valid passport, proof of citizenship and a valid visa when travelling outside of their country of residence. It is still possible for special exemptions to be granted while travelling abroad, for example returning to one’s home country without a valid passport, but they are usually only granted in exceptional circumstances.
In addition, some countries may allow citizens to travel without a passport if they have a valid ID card. This applies to citizens of certain European countries who may carry an official government-issued ID card. For most of the world’s population however, a passport is still the most reliable document when travelling abroad.
Whilst the Queen of England still enjoys a certain level of diplomatic immunity when it comes to travelling abroad, she is nonetheless required to carry a valid identification document when travelling outside of the nation’s borders. Other European royalty must abide by the same rule unless exempted by their respective countries, as must commoners for whom a valid passport is still the most reliable form of ID
Do Travelers Obtain a Visa to Travel Without a Passport?
A visa is required for foreign nationals who plan to enter the United Kingdom. However, with the Queen’s diplomatic immunity, she is permitted to travel to almost any country without a visa or even a passport. The same applies to other members of the Royal Family.
To be eligible for a British visa, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are of good character, have enough funds to support themselves while in the UK, have any necessary return tickets booked already and a valid passport that will not need to be renewed during the applicant’s stay.
In addition to a British visa, a valid passport is also required for entry into the Schengen area, which consists of the majority of the European Union countries. A Schengen visa is required in addition to a passport in order to travel within these countries. Even with the Queen’s diplomatic immunity, other European royalty must abide by the same passport and visa regulations.
What Are the Rules Around the Queen’s Personalised Passport?
The Queen’s unique passport is exempt from existing rules and regulations because of its official status. As such, it cannot be used to enter any country other than the United Kingdom and the European Union. It is also important to note that the Queen’s personalised passport is not renewable and she must request a new one each time she plans to travel. The new passport is then sent to a designated carrier of the Royal Cypher who carries on board the aircraft.
Apart from the fact that the Queen is not required to obtain a visa to travel abroad, she also receives certain other special privileges. These privileges include not requiring a stamp when entering or leaving a foreign country, not having to go through scanning and routine immigration processes, and not having to queue with other travelers.
The Queen is additionally exempt from certain airport security processes such as having her hand luggage and personal items checked. She is also spared from customs inspections when returning to England from overseas trips.
Final Thoughts
The Queen of England does not technically need a passport to travel. As such, she does not have to obey usual passport laws or visa regulations. She typically forgoes a passport and instead carries a state-certified ID document when travelling abroad given her diplomatic immunity. Other European royalty often need to carry a valid passport when travelling unless exempted by their home countries.
For more ‘regular’ travelers, a passport or other valid form of ID is still the most reliable form of identification when travelling across international borders. Alongside a passport, travelers often need visas to enter certain countries, and must present a valid passport to do so. Whilst it is possible for some permanent residents to travel with another form of identification, a passport is still the most reliable form of legal identification for travel.
