King Charles carries a supply of his own blood when travelling abroad, on his doctor's orders, to ensure he is prepared for any medical emergency that might occur while he is away. As British monarch, he frequently heads overseas for royal engagements, and the unusual item is part of his travel arrangements.
Blood supply carried on royal trips
In October 2024, King Charles and Queen Camilla made the long journey to Australia and Samoa. The programme of events for their visit looked a bit different from regular royal tours. When they arrived, a day was scheduled in their itinerary to recover before starting their engagements after the flight.
In 2016, the Telegraph's Gordon Rayner reported that the late Queen would also travel with a Royal Navy doctor, who would gather information about local hospitals, whenever she went on a world tour. Rayner added: "In countries where a reliable blood supply is questionable, the Queen and the Prince of Wales both travel with their own personal packs of blood following in their convoy wherever they go."
Doctor's medical bag and emergency kit
Rayner continued: "Their doctor is never more than a few paces away, carrying a bulky medical bag containing a mobile defibrillator and all manner of emergency medicine." The late Queen's former press secretary Dickie Arbiter told Hello!: "You've got to make sure that you're covering every eventuality, and the aircraft would carry blood in case there was a blood transfusion. There's never any guarantee you are going to get the right type of blood at your destination."
No passport needed for the monarch
While the King's travel list is extensive, there is one thing he does not have to worry about packing - and that is his passport. On the Royal Family's website, the British monarch does not need a passport for a simple reason - the documents are issued in their name.
The website says: "When travelling overseas, the Sovereign does not require a British passport. As a British passport is issued in the name of His Majesty, it is unnecessary for The King to possess one." It adds that the first page of British passports contains a representation of the Royal Arms, together with the following wording: "His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary."
