Prince William ‘clashed’ with King Charles, late Queen Elizabeth over flying family in helicopter: report
Prince William reportedly “clashed” with King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II over flying his family around the UK in a helicopter.
The Prince of Wales – who is a trained pilot with an extensive military background – has had several heated confrontations with his father and his late grandmother about the safety of flying himself, his wife, Kate Middleton, and their three children, according to royal author Robert Jobson.
“One recent source of disagreement is William’s stubborn refusal to take his father’s advice on safeguarding the succession,” an excerpt from Jobson’s forthcoming book, “Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen,” obtained by The Independent reads.
“Earlier this year, the King had raised concerns with his son about the wisdom of William using his helicopter to fly his entire family around the country,” the royal correspondent continued.
Jobson, 60, also claimed that William, 42, once got into a tiff with the late Queen, who died in September 2022, when he ignored her request not to fly his family the 115-mile trip from Kensington Palace to their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.
Jobson noted that Queen Elizabeth was “haunted by the 1967 crash that killed the Captain of the Queen’s Flight,” and she “did not hold back” while discussing her worries with William.
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“After being diagnosed with cancer, King Charles – perhaps reminded of his own mortality – echoed his late mother’s concerns,” the author said of the 75-year-old monarch.
“And when William refused to stop flying with his family, Charles insisted that he sign a formal document, acknowledging the risks involved and taking full responsibility for his actions.”
Jobson claimed the succession of the throne is a sensitive matter since 39-year-old Prince Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, and Meghan Markle, 42, are estranged from their royal duties.
Amid William and Charles’ disagreements, Jobson said Middleton, 42, has been the “stabilizing influence” between the two as she “is somebody who always tries to see both sides of any dispute,” per the Daily Mail.
The Princess of Wales, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, shares kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, with William.
Reps for the royal family did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.