King Charles Visit 2024

[Sprucegoose]

Does anybody know who HM flew with from London to Singapore? Media reports said it was a commercial flight and with the time of day they departed SIN on the RAAF flight it seemed only SQ could connect to it without lengthy transits.

The Queen had travelled ahead of the King, presumably also commercial. They met up in SIN for the last leg.

Have you checked the Court Circulars? I find they contain considerable details.

https://www.royal.uk/media-centre/court-circulars

Before Singapore, the King flew separately from the Queen, who headed first to the Soukya health centre (near Bangalore, India).

The King enjoys flying, whereas the Queen doesn't embrace the concept of long-distance flying. I did hear the King flew first, and I would have expected BA to be the commercial airline of choice for the UK government, but I am not aware of what airline it was.

My hopes of Camilla joining AFF continue to fade.

 

[justinbrett]

Does anybody know who HM flew with from London to Singapore? Media reports said it was a commercial flight and with the time of day they departed SIN on the RAAF flight it seemed only SQ could connect to it without lengthy transits.

The Queen had travelled ahead of the King, presumably also commercial. They met up in SIN for the last leg.

They've actually done very well to keep the details hidden.

I wouldn't rule out that he flew in the night before on BA, considering Camilla was already in SIN. This stuff would be kept super secret for obvious reasons.

I refuse to believe he flew SQ and nobody snapped a photo! I think BA are much more used to keeping his privacy.

 

[justinbrett]

[Media reports fewer than 100 "fans" turned out to see the Royals in Canberra today. News article tried to blame the heat LOL it was only 23C barely warm, certainly not hot.

Given the low level of interest they should reverse the road closures in Sydney tomorrow and restore the usual evening parking prices so Sydneysiders can have a normal commute and enjoy their city.

Looks like those reports were fake news.

Video in this report clearly shows a decent turnout, especially for Canberra.

 

[antycbr]

They've actually done very well to keep the details hidden.

I wouldn't rule out that he flew in the night before on BA, considering Camilla was already in SIN. This stuff would be kept super secret for obvious reasons.

I refuse to believe he flew SQ and nobody snapped a photo! I think BA are much more used to keeping his privacy.

I believe that BA had a custom fit out that they can swap in place of F?

Meanwhile the Foreign Secretary used the UK VIP A321 to go to Beijing. Don’t know where the RAF Voyager that is used for VIP transport was?

 

[DejaBrew]

They've actually done very well to keep the details hidden.

I wouldn't rule out that he flew in the night before on BA, considering Camilla was already in SIN. This stuff would be kept super secret for obvious reasons.

I refuse to believe he flew SQ and nobody snapped a photo! I think BA are much more used to keeping his privacy.

I thought that Expert Flyer might have been of assistance in working this out, but...

1. The date selector doesn't go back that far, and
2. Unless I'm doing something wrong, I can't seem to bring up any seat maps for BA flights from LHR>SIN

To your point, the news about the flight on which he arrived into SIN is seemingly non-existent and there's next to no news about him actually being in SIN.

I believe that BA had a custom fit out that they can swap in place of F?

Interesting... is this something they can readily swap in/out of F on a given BA commercial aircraft (presumably of a certain model)?

 

[Cossie]

I presume it’s an AUDI, how ironic is that.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I believe that BA had a custom fit out that they can swap in place of F?

Meanwhile the Foreign Secretary used the UK VIP A321 to go to Beijing. Don’t know where the RAF Voyager that is used for VIP transport was?

Not sure about the logistics of the cabin, but the rumour was that Princess Maragret used to book economy class from London to Mustique… and of course used to get upgraded free of charge to F! It would be amusing if the current King did the same!

 

[Sprucegoose]

They've actually done very well to keep the details hidden.

I wouldn't rule out that he flew in the night before on BA, considering Camilla was already in SIN. This stuff would be kept super secret for obvious reasons.

I refuse to believe he flew SQ and nobody snapped a photo! I think BA are much more used to keeping his privacy.

If you read the Royal site (as one should), it is ambiguous as to who left before the other—you have deduced, most probably correctly, that Camilla ducked out first.

It was reported the King left in an Embraer Legacy 600 - make of that what you will. I'm heading to the airport tomorrow in a yellow Range Rover - make of that what you will .....

He would have flown Qantas before Singapore Airlines.....

BA is the obvious choice and not their first rodeo.

Looks like those reports were fake news.

All part of the game. The Royals received an enthusiastic welcome in Canberra, which was marred only by one disrespectfully rude elected representative, so you could say even Canberra was on its best behaviour.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Princess Maragret used to book economy class from London to Mustique

As a keen reader of Royal history, you will know those trips were never government-sanctioned

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I could be mistaken here but it's my understanding that when the Royal Family is on official business to a commonwealth country they don't fly commercial. Instead, there is a dedicated plane for them. Now on the ground I'm less certain about whether they are chauffeured in their own (UK government) vehicles or those of the host nation. When POTUS visits other countries the secret service always brings over their own vehicles and equipment for security purposes.

What I will say as a Canadian hearing the news of Prince King Charles visiting the country is I think it is a good thing. Australia, like Canada has a rich tradition of the Monarchy. Maybe it is passé, and Australia needs another referendum on becoming a Republic, but for the time being this is the system we've got. And look, I can understand the animosity by some towards the monarch, the interference with government. This is something frankly we haven't had to deal with. However, with that being said, one must appreciate the history, the tradition, the continuity which is why this form of governance (love it or hate it) has withstood the test of time. King Charles visiting this country is maintaining that obligation to the monarchy, to the commonwealth and traditions and is vital given the passing of QEII. For most Australians (and most Canucks, Kiwis, etc.) Elizabeth was all we knew. Until quite recently, I kept referring to Charles as Prince since for decades that was his title. The other point that is brought up here is these are challenging times for Charles. He's facing cancer and other issues and yet he kept pressing on. As you can imagine being of that age with these medical conditions and travelling such great distances does take a toll on one's body regardless of how plush the seating may be.

That's my toonie on the current events.

-RooFlyer88

 

[kookaburra75]

Sorry about these comments being late to the piece, but I've been away for a few days and limited my posts to "View from the Office"

HM King Charles II is King of Australia. He's not a foreigner.

But he isn't an Australian citizen, and can never be one, so I think that's why he referred to as a 'foreigner'.

I remember a piece written by an academic several years ago, which pointed out that when he became the King of England (and other places) he was severely restricted in what he could do e.g. he could only be a Protestant as head of the Church of England - he can't pick which religion he wants to follow. Although the times have changed since his Great-Uncle's time. But if he became an Australian citizen, he would have so many more personal freedoms. I wouldn't have been surprised to see him try and mention his time at school in the 60's as part of a claim to gain more rights here

A visit by the US president even here causes more disruption.

Absolutely. The time George W was here in Canberra was diabolical. They shut down all access to the airport five hours prior to the presidential motorcade actually heading out to the airport. For those of you who know Canberra, there's only three main roads which go past the airport, so close those and it creates major headaches.

View attachment 412841

Canberra seems to be coping with the visit just fine.

You should have looked at the roads at 4.30pm - there are always big swathes of red at that time, as everyone rushes to get home - and certainly not to watch the royal visit on tv.

Interestingly enough into today's tabloids, they reference other British Royalty visiting, and at the bottom of the article they mention in passing "Lumley is not the only famous British citizen on our shores – King Charles and Queen Camilla are also here for a five-day royal visit"

 

[TheRealTMA]

I presume it’s an AUDi, how ironic is that.

View attachment 412886

Just leveraging from the family heritage!

 

[OATEK]

Sorry, nope, not bringing me any joy at all.

But I do wonder if he brought his own toilet seat this time as he used to do?

The King try as he might cannot match the Saudi Crown Prince who took his own Toilet on his visit to London, and his own bed. The toilet to keep him safe from attempts on his life, and the bed to take his weight.

The thing about King Charles is that he has been known to rough it when the occasion warrants.

 

[Happy Dude]

Looks like those reports were fake news.

Video in this report clearly shows a decent turnout, especially for Canberra.

Most definitely fake news.

Mrs Happy Dude took our youngest for a gander at the War Memorial and was fortunate to shake Camilla's hand, mirroring her own experience with Diana 40 years ago. There were several thousand there and the same again at Parliament House.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

With all respect and understanding...'I feel', too many of the Frequent Flyer Websites, AFF included, can be a little kindly and unforgiving of many of these repeat offending airlines...with their complex range of lounge access rules and points to fly rules...etc..the customer needs to be a workless, dogged, investigative, flying sleuth, to get even close to being on top of it all. I think simplicity has been purposely lost to sew confusion and financially exploit, rather than embrace the average FF.
I assume it's difficult for AFF and many other FF sites to really expose and stick it up 'em, when they are so close to the coughpit....the recent Qantas FF programme 'enhancements' is a great example of screwing the FF customer for double the number of points, under the incredible headline of 'giving FF what they have been asking for'.....as for searching for classic up the front with your partner, it's an odious exercise in frustrating futility.

I presume it’s an AUDI, how ironic is that.

View attachment 412886

You'd think they could find a Range Rover for him!

Sorry about these comments being late to the piece, but I've been away for a few days and limited my posts to "View from the Office"


But he isn't an Australian citizen, and can never be one, so I think that's why he referred to as a 'foreigner'.

I remember a piece written by an academic several years ago, which pointed out that when he became the King of England (and other places) he was severely restricted in what he could do e.g. he could only be a Protestant as head of the Church of England - he can't pick which religion he wants to follow. Although the times have changed since his Great-Uncle's time. But if he became an Australian citizen, he would have so many more personal freedoms. I wouldn't have been surprised to see him try and mention his time at school in the 60's as part of a claim to gain more rights here

King Charles isn't a British citizen either. He's the sovereign. Citizens are subjects of the sovereign.

 

[Sprucegoose]

King Charles isn't a British citizen either. He's the sovereign

If you are prepared to accept advice from the Colonies, I understand British Passports are issued in the Monarch's name. The Prince of Wales did have a passport as he was not the Monarch, but as the current Monarch, he no longer requires one.

 

[TheRealTMA]

You'd think they could find a Range Rover for him!

What? Be driven in a car from a company owned by the Indians?

 

[PERLHR]

Kings arrival into CBR yesterday. Have better pictures on my "proper" camera! Only minor road closures around the capital that I could see and the diversions worked well.

 

[kookaburra75]

You'd think they could find a Range Rover for him!
King Charles isn't a British citizen either. He's the sovereign. Citizens are subjects of the sovereign.

Not quite - the UK Bill of Rights 1689 Act put paid to those pesky 'divine' rights of Kings and Queens. The rights of UK citizens are those determined by law and protected by UK Parliament and the judiciary. Citizens owe no active allegiance to the King in a political sense, and the King does not have direct control or influence over them. The Citizens are bound by the rule of law, as is the monarchy itself. But I digress

You'd think they could find a Range Rover for him!

What? Be driven in a car from a company owned by the Indians?

They could have found a Mini - Opps that's owned by a German company, but at least that's closer to the original lineage of the House of Saxe Coburg Windsor

 

[LCC]

[redacted off-topic/political comment]



Media reports fewer than 100 "fans" turned out to see the Royals in Canberra today. News article tried to blame the heat LOL it was only 23C barely warm, certainly not hot.

Given the low level of interest they should reverse the road closures in Sydney tomorrow and restore the usual evening parking prices so Sydneysiders can have a normal commute and enjoy their city.

Well we just returned from an outing to Sculptures by the Sea via ferry from Circular Quay and couldn't work out why there were thousands of people lined up from the Opera house and snaking around the harbour/quay area for well over a km at 3pm. A quick google informed us they were waiting patiently in the sun for KC and QC who were scheduled to appear on the Opera house forecourt. So it seems there is no lack of interest in the monarchy in Sydney at any rate.