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King Charles travels with one unusual but important item when taking a big trip. As part of his role as the British monarch, the king is often heading abroad for royal engagements. The king takes a supply of his own blood, on the orders of the royal doctor, who also travels with him.

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 the itinerary for them to recover before starting engagements after the flight.

In 2016, the Telegraph's Gordon Rayner reported the late Queen would also travel alongside a Royal Navy doctor, who would research information about local hospitals, whenever she went on a world tour.

"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," he added.

"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."

While the King's travel list is extensive, there is one thing he doesn't have to worry about packing - and that's his passport.

According to the royal family's website, the British monarch does not need a passport for a simple reason - the documents are issued in their name.

On the website, it 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.

"All other Members of the Royal Family, including The Queen and The Prince of Wales, have passports."

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."