Royal aides hit back at claims Prince Charles 'bumped' Prime Minister off an official plane

Plane was hired months ago at no undue cost to taxpayer, insists royal source
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall disembark the RAF Voyager in Vienna
Getty
Robert Jobson6 April 2017

Prince Charles' aides have denied claims that the Prime Minister was forced to charter a private jet to conduct Government business in the Middle East after he booked "her official plane" for a tour of Europe.

Royal sources dismissed suggestions that the Prince had "bumped" Theresa May off the plane and pointed out it was "not her plane."

They said that the aircraft was free when the royal tour – also carried out at the request of the Government – was booked several months ago.

They also added that as both trips were necessary there had been no undue cost to the taxpayer.

Royal sources have dismissed claims Prince Charles ousted the Prime Minister from using the jet
Getty

The surplus RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft was refitted at a cost of £10million last year to end the national embarrassment of British prime ministers arriving in foreign capitals in unflagged private planes.

But PM Mrs May could not use the jet for her trip to Saudi Arabia and Jordan, as Downing Street discovered it had been booked by the Prince of Wales for a nine-day visit to Romania, Italy and Austria

The clash meant the Prime Minister arrived in the Middle East on Monday in a Boeing 757, featuring the logo of private charter firm Air Partner.

She was in the region for three days to hold crunch talks on trade and security with King Abdullah of Jordan and King Salman of Saudi Arabia.

Prince Charles and Camilla used the plane for a charm offensive Foreign Office organised four country tour of Europe.

It was designed in part to win hearts and minds in the run-up to the Brexit negotiations.

Theresa May used a chartered jet for her official trip to the Gulf
AFP/Getty Images

Their schedule of almost 60 engagements concludes in Vienna today, where they will visit the Musikverein concert hall.

They have already spent time in Romania and Italy where Charles had talks with the President and Prime Minister.

The couple also had an audience with the Pope at the Vatican.

Around 15 members of royal staff accompanied them on the trip. Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan also accompanied them on the plane around Italy.

Ambassadorial staffs, the police protection team and scores Ministry of Defence Staff also were on the plane. A press contingent who paid for their seats were also on the plane.

Reports saying the plane is supposed to be a dedicated plane for the Prime Minister - a decision taken by David Cameron who claimed it would save the taxpayer £775,000 a year in private jet chartering fees - were dismissed by Palace officials.

The plane - also a refuelling aircraft - is earmarked for use by the Head of State, The Queen, The Heir to the Throne, when representing the Head of State and then the Prime Minister. In that order.

No 10 played down the significance of Mrs May spending tens of thousands to hire another jet.

An official said: "Ever since we first thought up the idea of the Voyager, it was always designed for use by the Queen and the Prime Minister or anyone attending international events representing the Queen or PM.

"The Prince of Wales is using it right now as he is representing the Queen on this tour he is on."

In reality the Queen, 91, this month is unlikely to use the plane as she nolonger undertakes long haul travel.

Prince Charles, her heir, carries out senior diplomatic missions overseas on her behalf - which are effectively at the same level of State visits as a result.

A Downing Street spokesman added: "Two visits at the same time means one aircraft will always have to be chartered.

"It makes no difference to the public purse whether Voyager is used by a member of the Royal Family or the Prime Minister."

But Labour MP Paul Flynn said: "Of course the Prime Minister should have the first call on the plane – she is the elected ruler."

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