Monarchs of UK and Japan hold unique passport-free travel status

Due to constitutional and protocolar status, only three individuals in the world are able to travel internationally without a standard passport: King Charles III of the United Kingdom, Emperor Naruhito of Japan, and Empress Masako of Japan.

In the United Kingdom, the monarch uses a special document instead of a traditional passport. This document requests that foreign authorities ensure the King has seamless passage, necessary protection, and support. This privilege was previously held by Queen Elizabeth II and passed to her successor. Other members of the British Royal Family must travel with standard passports.

In Japan, the imperial couple also utilizes special documentation issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A 1971 determination by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that issuing a standard passport to the Emperor or Empress would be ‘exceptionally inappropriate.’ Consequently, the Japanese government notifies destination countries of the imperial couple's arrival in advance. Unlike the British system, other members of the Japanese Imperial Family travel using diplomatic passports.