The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have yet to arrive in New Zealand for their first official tour with their baby, but their upcoming visit is already causing outrage — over a car seat.
New Zealanders are reportedly protesting the company hired to outfit the car in which the royal family will be driven — arguing its car seat should be rear-facing, not forward-facing. (Via One News)
Many took to the company's Facebook page to express their concerns and criticize the company's decision to disregard its own car-seat guidelines.
According to its website, the company insists car seats should face the back side of a vehicle for the first two years of a child's life as a safety measure in case of an accident. (Via Plunket)
In fact, the practice is recommended by many organizations around the world including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the New Zealand Transport Agency. (Via YouTube / Trygg Trafikk)
But while the guidelines are highly recommended, a rear-facing car seat is not mandatory in New Zealand and that won't be the way Prince George's seat will be positioned.
According to The Telegraph, a company executive says the royal family requested the car seat to be placed facing forward — and adds, "While Plunket recommend that children stay in rear-facing seats until age two, it is not a legal requirement.”
If this sounds all too familiar, that's because it's happened before.
Critics bashed the way Prince George was buckled in the car at the hospital shortly after his birth eight months ago. (Via The Huffington Post)
Prince George is third in line as heir to the British throne, behind his father, Prince William, and grandfather, Prince Charles. (Via The Telegraph)
