Royal Transportation (land, sea, air)

[Denville]

I doubt if in today's world it is going to be used for pleasure outings by the RF.....

 

[Durham]

Is anyone's wondering how HM got to Cornwall & back to Windsor in time for trooping (a round journey of about 500 miles) she took the Royal Train.


https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/queen-travels-through-somerset-royal-5521209


https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/royal-train-carrying-queen-seen-5519599

Someone caught it passing Totnes.

As an aside I can hardly believe Air Force One actually landed at Newquay Airport!

 

[wbenson]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...for-downing-street-royal-yacht-plan-0mq7vhl0c

A source close to the royal household has said that the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge have no interest in what Downing Street is calling a “national flagship” to replace the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was scrapped in 1997.

“No one wants this vessel at the palace,” the source said. “Charles doesn’t want it. William has no interest in it. He has no interest in naval things at all. All this controversy has just put them off even more.

“Will they go on board to promote trade if they’re in the area? Of course. But you won’t get them taking it up to the west coast of Scotland like the Duke of Edinburgh used to.”

 

[Durham]

MOD looking for designs now. All very exciting.

https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk...-yacht-mod-tenders-controversial-150m-project

 

[CyrilVladisla]

The State Cars of the British Royal Family

 

[Prinsara]

The State Cars of the British Royal Family

I wanted to see what the rest of the hood ornaments meant!

 

[Curryong]

This is wiki, however it does have some interesting little details about royal cars since the turn of the 20th century.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_and_royal_cars_of_the_United_Kingdom

‘On the bonnet of each State and Semi-State Cars there is a mount to which a mascot is attached. The mascot used depends on the occupant and the location. Three mascots, which have passed through the family, are frequently seen: St George and the Dragon is seen on the Monarch's car in England; a Lion is seen on the Monarch's car in Scotland; and Britannia is also seen, a mascot used by George V, George VI, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and Charles III, when he was Prince of Wales. When the car is not on state business, the standard manufacturers' mascot is used.’

Also from Wiki

Like all British state cars, the Bentleys have a mount on the roof for an illuminated coat-of-arms and a pennant, which can be inserted from inside the vehicle. These usually feature the royal coat-of-arms and the Royal Standard respectively, although other symbols can be used for occasions such as a state visit. When carrying the Queen the Bentley "Flying B" bonnet mascot was replaced, either by the Queen's personal mascot of Saint George slaying the dragon made by the artist Edward Seago, or, in Scotland, by a single standing lion. The Bentleys are equipped with flashing blue lights, two within the radiator grille and two mounted on the front bumper. The State Limousines neither have nor require number plates. The Bentleys are painted claret and black, in keeping with all British state vehicles.

 

[doro]

The Norwegian Royals when attend to events, they are transported by sea

 

[wbenson]

I had forgotten about the plan for a new royal yacht (or "national flagship") but I see it was canceled by the new government late last year. I'm not very surprised.

 

[Durham]

New helicopters for rf. These will be an upgrade form the current ones.

Two new helicopters to ferry royal family on royal engagements

The Sovereign Grant financial report published on Wednesday revealed the aircraft will arrive in 2024-25, with the plan approved by the Treasury.

www.standard.co.uk

 

[tommy100]

Well overdue to be fair - they are 15 years old. Not sure I agree with the idea Charles is "pretty allergic" to travel by helicopter but if it is being used they should be using up to date ones I guess and they do need to get around the whole country.

 

[Durham]

Yes I thought that was an odd turn of phrase. HM seems to use helicopters a lot. Not a problem with that of course.

 

[Muhler]

New helicopters for rf. These will be an upgrade form the current ones.

Two new helicopters to ferry royal family on royal engagements

The Sovereign Grant financial report published on Wednesday revealed the aircraft will arrive in 2024-25, with the plan approved by the Treasury.

www.standard.co.uk

the AW139 is a joint UK/Italian and extremely popular. It's used by pretty much everybody. Pretty fast and with a decent endurance. It should be able to fly to almost every part of UK from London. And with room for up to fifteen passenger, it's very well suited for a head of state. - The head of state, a spouse, an adjutant, at least two security, a couple of court officials and still have room for a secretary and a valet or a lady-in-waiting.
It's also a good-looking aircraft:

https://d3lcr32v2pp4l1.cloudfront.net/Pictures/2000xAny/0/9/3/76093_colombiaaw139cleonardohelicopters_662053.jpg

 

[tommy100]

Must be bigger than the one they use now - it only seats six.

 

[Muhler]

I'd imagine the luxury version can seat eight passengers or so.

 

[Durham]

Eight sounds about right.

The French & German Presidents have use of the Airbus h215/super puma which is bigger than the aw139.

There again both France & Germany (especially) have larger vip government aircraft fleets. It's not that long ago since we used to use commercial aircraft (usually BA) to transport the monarch.

 

[tommy100]

Yes, I'd imagine the royal helicopters will seat 8 or so in more comfortable style than the full capacity.