King Charles reportedly insisted that Prince William sign a formal waiver after the Prince of Wales refused to stop flying his wife and children by helicopter. The move came amid concerns about the safety of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children when travelling together.
Concerns over family flights
According to royal author Robert Jobson's 2024 book, Catherine, The Princess of Wales, King Charles was unhappy with Prince William's decision to continue flying his family despite concerns previously raised by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Prince William, an experienced pilot who served as a search and rescue pilot with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, reportedly declined to stop using helicopters for family transport.
Jobson wrote that King Charles eventually required his son to sign a document acknowledging the potential dangers. “Charles insisted that he sign a formal document, acknowledging the risks involved and taking full responsibility for his actions,” the author wrote.
Diagnosis sharpens the issue
The reported disagreement is said to have become particularly significant after King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024. Jobson suggested the diagnosis may have reminded the King of his own mortality, prompting him to echo his late mother's concerns about the family's safety.
Queen Elizabeth had reportedly previously asked Prince William not to fly with his wife and children. According to a Buckingham Palace aide quoted in the book, the late Queen “didn't hold back” when expressing her concerns, having been haunted by the death of her flight captain in a helicopter crash in 1967.
Pilot's experience and risks
Prince William, however, continued to fly with his family despite the warnings. Jobson also reflected on the potential consequences of a tragedy involving the family, writing: “It would be scant consolation, of course, for an unspeakable tragedy, let alone for the prospect of King Harry and Queen Meghan.”
Prince William worked as a search and rescue pilot between 2010 and 2013, serving with the Royal Air Force. His experience meant he was familiar with the demands and risks of flying.
