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.

They have a nanny and staff.

The point I am making is that if we became a republic and William a private citizen he would still be wealthy enough to use helicopters.

I am happy to be corrected, but I think if William set up a limited company with a London office and used a helicopter to fly from his office to another premises owned by his company e.g. in Norfolk, the cost might be legitimately tax deductible.

If William chose to step down he would be entitled to use all the legitimate tax avoidance measures other wealthy people use. Using a helicopter would remain an option he could legitimately use.

It’s not falling for the PR it’s being able to assess what are reasonable points to argue.

Charging charities, NHS etc. for using property I own is reasonable for me so it’s reasonable for William.

Not paying tax when I am required to is unreasonable and raises legitimate questions about Williams tax affairs.

Using legal tax avoidance is reasonable for me so would be reasonable for William to use.

The lack of media focus will be the sycophancy around the heir to the throne. No highlighting of his / his families foibles or mistakes.

One thinks it all started as a result of that Sarah giving William one of her Budgie the Helicopter books for his Christmas present, when he was as a child. 😬

I wondered this too. I hope they haven’t split up.

Surely not!

this.

Personally I think the monarchy should be abolished.

However I don’t think it’s fair to say that anyone who disagrees with you is only doing so because of the PR machine. I’m not denying it exists. I just think it’s very arrogant to dismiss an opinion other than yours as being the result of PR, as if only people who think like you are capable of having an informed opinion, and anyone else is just believing what they’re told. Some people are fine with the RF. Some people aren’t but don’t think that helicopters are a big issue. Those are both valid opinions.

I wonder if he used the helicopters more during the period when Kate was battling cancer? One can understand why he would want to be with her and their children quickly where possible.

If people are referring to the two new AW139s on order/possibly already delivered they are a straight replacement for the existing increasingly elderly S-76s that the helicopter flight has used for quite a few years.

AFAIK this has nothing to do with a change of domestic circumstances.

What the fuck has this got to do with a (royal) family on the best benefits a human can have?

Typical of the RF, do as I say not as I do. Use the helicopter by all means but stop preaching to us about the environment and the earth shot prize, we’re not fools.

Hi, Elizabeth II's ghost.

but I think if William set up a limited company with a London office and used a helicopter to fly from his office to another premises owned by his company e.g. in Norfolk, the cost might be legitimately tax deductible

Only if the use was for legitimate, and solely, business use. What he is currently doing - commuting between his home and KP is not tax deductible for anyone, no matter who you are or what your mode of transport.

@HappyFace2025- this is only for 2025 use, not looking longer term for when she was having treatment.

Couldn’t really give a shit. If I was him and had access to a helicopter, let alone be a pilot and fly it myself, I’d do exactly the same.

Imagine if it were Harry doing this. He would be (further) crucified for it.

There is always a reason the media does what it does or what it does not do.

William is no saint. He has his share of scandal in his personal life as well as some of his personality traits. I mean, the bloke is human, I get that. But he's untouchable in the press.

I all had seen that. But there’s a more likely explanation- it was reported that with previous generations, once the heir was 11/12 they no longer were allowed to travel with their parent who was the monarch/also an heir. It was reported that George might have to travel separately now, but W&C weren’t keen on that. If they’ve decided to go with William and Catherine will travel separately with the 3 children split between them as a compromise to avoid “helicopter crash leads to Harry being next King”, this would make sense.

Where is the laughing reaction when you need it. Well played 😁👏

...Before leaping into thoughts of new arrangements, because of x, y or z it might be worth reading the history behind this.

Without digging deeper I'm far from convinced W, K or anyone has set up a new company or set up new arrangements, this looks like a case of replacing old kit with new - costly but can be justified on safety and in some ways on eonomic grounds if you accept the Royals are going to carry on flying around.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transport_of_the_British_royal_family_and_government

W has always been cavalier in his use of helicopters using RAF machines for personal visits:

https://archive.ph/55zP7

I expect he'll offset these latest commutes with parading round in another second hand blazer or some such so all is well.

I think it kind of goes with the territory really.They are an exceptionally wealthy family and its a mode of transport that works for them .I mean if we have a RF then we cant expect them to take public transport.The problem with car usage is that the roads would be blocked with security, for miles around. I remember some years ago, Richard Hammond said he commuted to work by helicopter from his Castle! A trip to Bicester Village in Oxford, has a helicopter landing space also for its rich clientele to use .

I agree about KP, his office, to Windsor his home but what about visiting Duchy properties?

Rich people use helicopters.

Theres a house on the hill opposite mine which has their own airfield.

There are many worse examples of huge excess and wastage in the world.

If you are really concerned about the environment then there are plenty of better things to advocate for change on.