Royal helicopters and William

[FancyBiscuitsLevel]

So, not seen any threads on this - the story broke at the start of the week that the two new helicopters the RF took ownership of at the start of last year have already flown the distance of twice round the world. Anne is the biggest user and the explanation has been to allow multiple engagements on the same day and to allow secure access to more remote locations.

But in that, there was a detail about Prince William, last year he took the helicopter 52 times between Kensington palace and their new windsor home. Now, this is only about an 1 hour drive. There are regular train services between central London and Windsor. While the headline focus has been on the multiple uses for engagements on the same day by Anne (which to be clear I don’t begrudge if that’s the only practical way to do it), this travelling between your two homes that aren’t that far apart by helicopter feels excessive for someone who’s work is supposed to be focussed on the environment.

I wonder if it’s to do with security. I imagine it’s much easier to manage the security aspect and also avoid heavy traffic.

Possibly, but the late Queen managed to use cars. As do many of the other royals.

he doesn’t do that many engagements to justify it, given his most high profile work is environmental focussed.

They love preaching to us about environmental issues while having a huge carbon footprint themselves. Definitely do as I say, not as I do. I wouldn't expect them to get the public train due to security, but cars would be fine. No one needs a personal helicopter.

You don't need a washing machine either, but I bet you have one.

My country is a disaster atm, but how the BRF still exists with any actually connection to real power and all the financial perks is beyond me. They are grotesque.

The thing is if he stopped using helicopters and used the car or train it would purely be for the look of the thing, and I find it so draining that we all have to do everything for the look of the thing even though it makes no material difference. Him using a helicopter to commute will not hasten man’s extinction by even a second. If we could all use helicopters perhaps he could lead the charge for us to switch to the train instead but as that’s not a thing then it doesn’t matter a jot what he does. If we are going to have a royal family they may as well zip about in helicopters. I mean of course it’s all terribly hypocritical
for him to talk about essentially any issue - poverty when he’s so rich, homelessness when he has so many homes, illegal wildlife poaching when he kills many animals for fun, and the environment when he has such a huge consumption footprint in every aspect of his life. So get rid of him, or let him have his helicopter I say.

@WinterWooliesBaa- come on, there are degrees to these things. I’m not suggesting he walks/rides a bike between the two properties, not saying never use a helicopter if it’s the most practical way to get to a location, but an hours journey in a car is not excessive. Lots of people live in the Windsor area and commute into London daily, they aren’t using helicopters.

this is excessive.

I’ve been in a helicopter once. Never again. Wonder how safe they are, compared to cars trains etc from accident chance and security POV. I definitely prefer a car or train. I haven’t been on a bus in 30+ years.

As a helicopter pilot I imaging William may do this to keep his flying hours current.

Many wealthy people use helicopters far more regularly than we are aware of. I remember Jeremy Clarkson saying about the time a wife of a famous musician picked her kids up in a helicopter.

If I had the money and a landing pad at home I would use a helicopter.

There are legitimate questions to be asked about the RF but this isn’t one.

Of course it’s a legitimate question with the costs involved, the environmental impact and simply whether it’s necessary.

I’m sure people will be along to offer more of their excuses for him. The PR machine really does work well on some people. The rest of us will question these things.

Hi, William. 😂

It also wouldn’t be one car. It would be at least 3 with motorbike support as well for security.

I’m no fan of the royals, but he’s the monarch-in-waiting and I’ve been saying for years that with the state of the traffic and other people’s driving, I absolutely want a helicopter!

This^ we don’t need monarchy but not because William uses helicopters too often. It’s a red herring.
I also agree with the security aspect. Car travel will make security more complicated and will affect other road users as well.

There are levels if usage though aren't there. I fill my car up about once a month, have been on a plane once in the last decade etc. My use of energy is probably average for the country. Still much higher than the average in poorer countries, but lower than half the people in this one.

The royals Energy use is infinitely greater than my family and there are ways they could easily cut down, but choose not to. Harry took a private jet to an environmental summit! At the same time they preach that us plebs should all be using less.

.

Ridiculous Comments like hi William, hi Camilla etc, add nothing to a discussion.

What about silly helicopter gifs?

It can’t be a security issue surely as the Queen regularly used to take an ordinary train to Norfolk?

Sorry I hadn’t spotted that. I think gifs are the same.

He's full of shif isn't he. As long as he puts on his concerned face he feels we are all convinced. But the rf mask is slipping.

But it's kinda funny

It’s strange because certain people are quick to post ‘do you have anything relevant to add’ or ‘stop derailing’ on other threads, but then they don’t practice what they preach when the topic of another thread is not to their liking.

On twitter they’re saying it’s because Kate and Will have split up and this is how they ferry the kids between the two homes. There was a video of the older two kids getting out of the helicopter with overnight bags and William greeting them.

No idea how true this is.

I don’t really see the point of having a royal family and then not letting them behave like a royal family. Of course they do things I wouldn’t - partly security, partly getting to places quickly and partly just because they are rich! I imagine one of the reasons he has been using the helicopter is to get home very quickly so he can help put the kids to bed whilst Kate has been unwell. I wouldn’t begrudge him doing it just because he can though to be honest. Maybe it’s because I can’t think of anything worse than being born into a pretty toxic family set up and having to ‘perform’ for life. I have only sympathy for them really.

Why not?
We don’t have any idea what the security intel is on each member of the RF.