Visiting UK as a family
May 13th 2011, 8:44 pm
#16
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Visiting UK as a family
I guess it is like a box of chocolates.
May 13th 2011, 9:31 pm
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: Visiting UK as a family
Perhaps the wording on the inside cover of a UK passport will help to explain why it is neither necessary or appropriate for the queen to carry a passport ...
Since the queen is "Her Britannic Majesty" she doesn't need to carry a document issued by her secretary of state that "requests and requires" things in her name - she can do all of the requesting and requiring for herself in person if necessary ... 
Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her 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.
May 13th 2011, 10:27 pm
#18
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Visiting UK as a family
Like maybe if she were in the Immigration line, the officer might glance at her and say "Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like the Queen?". LOL
Rene
May 13th 2011, 10:34 pm
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Visiting UK as a family
When I went back to the UK at Christmas with my USC boyfriend. I took him through the UK passport holders line with me (UKC/USC), since the non-EU line had a lot of people in it and the EU line only had 3.
No-one seemed to mind, they asked a couple of questions about where we lived and what we were doing in UK, but other than that we were in and out in a few mins.
No-one seemed to mind, they asked a couple of questions about where we lived and what we were doing in UK, but other than that we were in and out in a few mins.
May 13th 2011, 10:35 pm
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Visiting UK as a family
Different airports? Should be interesting to see how it works this time for us. Last time we flew into Heathrow, this time we will fly into Dublin....
May 14th 2011, 3:06 am
#21
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Visiting UK as a family
I might not let on - it's a good way to get 15 minutes peace and quiet after the flight
May 14th 2011, 5:52 am
#22
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Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 4,525
Re: Visiting UK as a family
When we plan to visit the UK next year.
Me having my UK passport, our baby having a UK and U.S passport, and hubby having his U.S passport.
which passport line will my husband have to take if we are travelling together. would he have to follow the non-EU line or can we all be together in the UK line.
Me having my UK passport, our baby having a UK and U.S passport, and hubby having his U.S passport.
which passport line will my husband have to take if we are travelling together. would he have to follow the non-EU line or can we all be together in the UK line.
May 16th 2011, 3:41 pm
#23
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 928
Re: Visiting UK as a family
Coming the other way, we've often been allowed to go through the US citizen line (DH US passport, me UK passport). Last time we queued for the US line for about an hour then we were BOTH sent to the non citizen line. If they reason that a couple with one US citizen cannot go through the citizen line, basically they must be saying you both have to go through non citizen since families only have one customs form between them.
I have to say I find it very confusing and last time they were not nice about it!
I have to say I find it very confusing and last time they were not nice about it!
May 16th 2011, 6:59 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 134
Re: Visiting UK as a family
Yes, in my experience it's definetely a mixed bag. I went to the UK last year with my US citizen girlfriend and the immigration personnel at Heathrow directed us to "stay as a group" and go through the UK line (which was fantastic...a few quick q's from some bored looking IO's and we were outta there!) Going through Stansted after a quick trip to the continent was completely different...they scolded us for trying to use the UK/EU line and made us line up again at the non-EU line.
