Royal Family's Travel Secrets

The British Royal Family has a variety of options when it comes to travelling abroad, from private jets to commercial flights. The Queen, for instance, always uses chartered aircraft, such as British Airways planes or the RAF's Voyager aircraft, a specially converted Airbus A330. Other members of the Royal Family, such as Prince William and Kate Middleton, have been known to opt for commercial flights, including British Airways, Ryanair, and Flybe. However, they usually travel with a small entourage of bodyguards and staff, and their travel plans are meticulously organised and adhere to certain protocols, such as always packing a black outfit in case of a death in the family.

The Queen travels on chartered flights, including the RAF Voyager aircraft

One of the RAF Voyagers, the VIP Voyager, is the first principal VIP transport aeroplane for the British royal family, the Prime Minister, and British government ministers. The VIP Voyager, known as Vespina, is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and is operated by No. 10 Squadron RAF. It has a total of 159 seats, including 58 business-class seats in the front cabin and 100 'premium economy' standard seats in the rear cabin. It is also fitted with a secure satellite communications system, missile detection, and media facilities.

The VIP Voyager was first used in its VIP configuration in 2016, when it was still painted in a military low-visibility matt-grey exterior paint scheme. In 2020, it was repainted in a gloss-white livery with a United Kingdom 'Global Britain' theme. The aircraft is available for commercial operators for revenue-earning air charter flights under the terms of its contract with AirTanker Services Limited.

The Queen no longer undertakes foreign travel and reserves the use of private jets for her journeys to Scotland throughout the year.

The Royal Family sometimes flies commercial, including on British Airways, Ryanair, and American Airlines

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has been known to fly commercial on several occasions. She took a British Airways flight for her first solo visit to the Netherlands, and she and Prince William also flew commercial after their official visit to Los Angeles. The couple has also been spotted on budget flights to Scotland.

Prince William has been seen on not one, but two European budget-airline flights for personal trips over the past decade. He has flown the ultra-low-cost Ryanair to Scotland and Flybe from Norwich to Aberdeen.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also been spotted on commercial flights, including British Airways from London to Nice, and Virgin Atlantic to a wedding. They were also seen in Club Europe on a flight from Rome to London.

The Royals' use of commercial flights is often driven by cost and environmental considerations. There is a set royal travel budget, funded by British taxpayers, which can reach millions of pounds each year. Additionally, with rising awareness of the carbon footprint of air travel, the travel arrangements of high-profile individuals like the Royal Family are scrutinized more than ever.

The Royal Family's choice of commercial airlines is also influenced by their preference for British companies. British Airways, as the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, is a popular choice for the Royals when they fly commercial. The Duchess of Cambridge also has a special connection to the airline, as her mother, Carole Middleton, was a flight attendant for British Airways.

They have a large travel budget, spending $5.8 million on travel fees in 2017

The British royal family's travel expenses are covered by the Sovereign Grant, a lump sum of government money. From April 2016 to March 2017, the royal family's travel costs totalled £4.5 million, or about $5.8 million. This was a £500,000 increase from the previous fiscal year but was lower than 2014, when their travel expenditure was £5.1 million.

The royal family's travel budget covers the costs of staff members who accompany them on their trips. In 2017, there were 65 overseas visits. The royal entourage typically includes press officers, secretaries, hairdressers, bodyguards, valets, professional stylists, and royal nannies. The Queen's entourage usually comprises around 34 people, while Prince William and Kate Middleton travel with about a dozen staff members.

The royal family's travel budget also covers the use of helicopters and aircraft charters for overseas visits. While the Queen no longer takes scheduled flights, other members of the royal family sometimes fly commercial. For example, Prince William and Kate Middleton have been known to skip chartered jets and fly first class. On the other hand, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton have been spotted on commercial flights with airlines like British Airways, Ryanair, and American Airlines.

The royal family's travel budget also includes the costs of their luggage. The royals are known for their monogrammed luggage, with each family member having a different colour label. For instance, Prince William's luggage features the letter "W" and a crown, while Kate Middleton has a more eclectic mix of bags and suit carriers.

They travel with a large entourage, including press officers, secretaries, and bodyguards

When travelling, the British Royal Family is accompanied by a large entourage of staff, including press officers, secretaries, and bodyguards. The Queen's entourage typically includes a whopping 34 people, while Prince William and Kate Middleton travel with a more modest group of around 12 staff members.

The entourage also includes a team of security personnel, who are responsible for ensuring the safety of the royals during their travels. This team of trained experts is always on hand to take care of the royals when they are on the move, whether they are flying private or commercial.

In addition to press officers, secretaries, and bodyguards, the royal entourage may also include other staff members such as hairdressers, valets, professional stylists, and royal nannies.

The size of the entourage can vary depending on the destination and nature of the trip. For example, on their trip to LA in 2011, William and Kate had just a seven-person entourage, while on their visit to Canada in 2016, they travelled with a 12-strong squad.

The royal entourage is there to support the family and ensure that their travels go smoothly and that all their needs are met. They are an essential part of any royal trip, whether it's a short trip to Scotland or a longer tour of Australia and New Zealand.

They have a rigorous schedule, with every minute of their day planned

The British Royal Family's trips abroad are meticulously planned, with every minute of their day accounted for. Their aides carry spiral-bound notebooks filled with detailed itineraries to ensure they stay informed of the day's events.

The Royal Family's schedule is rigorous, with up to four engagements per day. Their trips are often likened to business trips, with visits to world-famous sites rarely lasting more than 40 minutes. Their days are filled with meetings with heads of state, cultural activities, and strengthening ties with foreign nations.

The planning and coordination required for these trips are extensive, involving numerous staff members, including press officers, secretaries, hairdressers, bodyguards, valets, professional stylists, and royal nannies. For instance, Prince William and Kate Middleton travelled with an entourage of fourteen members of staff during their 2019 royal tour of Pakistan.

The Royal Family's travel arrangements are also carefully considered, with commercial flights, private jets, and helicopters all utilised, depending on the distance and size of the official party. Even their luggage is meticulously organised, with a colour-coded luggage tag system to ensure each family member's bags are easily identifiable.

The Royal Family's schedule while abroad is a delicate balance of official engagements, cultural activities, and adhering to royal protocols and traditions. Every aspect of their trip is carefully choreographed to ensure they make the best impression and represent the United Kingdom and the monarchy in the best possible light.

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