The Royal Family often travel by commercial jet - and this is the surprising reason why
THE ROYAL Family travel around the world on a number of state visits to promote good relations between the countries, with them often choosing to go by private jet. Yet sometimes they have to fly commercially for a surprising reason.
The Royal Family often travel to foreign countries as part of their role to promote good relations between the countries.
They often travel by private jet with Kate Middleton and Prince William recently opting for this during their Canadian tour, as well as Prince Charles and Camilla when visiting Australia.
Yet many of the family members have been spotted on commercial jets before, opting to fly with British Airways.
Even Queen Elizabeth has flown with the British airline. Whilst this is less frequent, many may not realise the reason behind this.
It all comes down to the reason for travelling.
According to Vogue, if the trip is for a personal reason, not a state visit, then they will often fly by commercial jet.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted in December on a British Airways flight when travelling to Nice, sitting at the back of the plane.
The Royal Family have a travel budget, funded by UK taxpayers, which has a limit.
Kate Middleton also flew British Airways - for which her mother was once a flight attendant for - on her first solo tour to The Netherlands.
Her husband Prince William joined his brother on the budget airline Flybe after attending Zara Philips wedding in Edinburgh.
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Getty
If it is an official visit then they can request a private jet if it is in the interest of the country
If it is an official visit then they can request a private jet if it is in the interest of the country.
Yet sometimes it can invoke anger over the expense of it; Prince Charles is the most extravagent royal having racked up approximately £154,000 during a trip to Romania, Italy and Austria - costing the same as the US President’s Air Force One plane and the most expensive trip of the Royal Family last year.
This is a stark difference to his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who often travels by passenger train instead of the Royal Train when heading to Norfolk for the festive period.
The Queen, the most well-travelled monarch in British history, has begun to slow down her visits and has handed the reigns to her children and grandchildren.
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Getty
How much do the Royal Family’s travels cost the taxpayer every year?
It was reported in 2016/2017, royal travel cost £4.5 million, but includes all close members of the royal family, not just Queen Elizabeth.
Clive Alderton, the Prince's principal private secretary, said: "I sense that personal connections, or what the jargon might call people-to-people links, will have a very important role to play in defining this new chapter in relations with our friends and neighbours around the world."
Despite the huge bill, the Queen does keep track of royal spending.
An insider told Independent that she “might have a word in the ear of the principle” if it is getting out of hand.