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Charles and aides take up entire jet for tour of Gulf
By Ed Harris, Evening Standard Last updated at 12:55pm on 20.02.07
Row: Prince Charles with Camilla
Prince Charles flew into an environmental row today as he jetted into the Gulf with a 20-strong party aboard a private jet designed to carry 140 people.
Weeks after declaring that he wants to be the greenest member of the royal family, Charles touched down last night in Kuwait aboard a hired Airbus 319, flying himself, Camilla and their entourage from London for a 10-day tour of five states.
The plane has been converted from the normal 140-seat version to a flying palace which accommodates 29 people in lavish comfort.
Sian Berry, of the Green Party, said: "Choosing to fly in an aeroplane that can take up to 140 people but filling less than a sixth of the seats is disappointing behaviour from the prince, who has previously made the right noises on climate change."
A Clarence House spokesman said all travel options had been examined but hiring a plane was the most "time and cost effective".
"When the prince said that he wanted to reduce the amount of trips he took on charter flights we also said that the situation would be examined on a case-by-case basis," he said.
"His current tour takes in five countries in just 10 days and includes meetings with senior members of their ruling families. Logistically it was the best option."
The cost of the trip will be made public when Charles publishes his annual accounts in June.
Reader views (7)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I think Charles is getting too involved in politics and diplomacy. I think we are in for trouble when he becomes King.
- Colleen Gagnon, Comox Canada
Perhaps he should have used the Queens Flight - oh sorry, he couldn't. The Queen's Flight is booked by Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Harriet Harmen, Reid etc.
- Jason, Lens, Belgium
I think Colin's hit the nail on the head. Whilst many people agree that climate change is a serious environmental problem, politicians and others are hijacking the issue for their own ends and this could backfire disastrously. Who really believes that Gordon Brown's tax on cheap flights does anything other than generate more revenues for the Treasury while simply penalising less well off travellers and small businesses?
- Nick, London
Let me guess the Green party representatives don't take foreign holidays, and all go roung riding bicycles. In fact they could probarbly power entire towns with the amount of manure they produce.
- Bill, Reading
Charlie is well meaning, but quite frankly has not got a clue. Though if we would allow him 1 unit of carbon ommissions for every time he made us laugh, he would be allowed to fly a 747 jumbo three times a day to far flung countries to pick up some more memorable awards.
Keep up the good work Prince charming you keep us all entertained.
- Gavin, Essex
Is it not time to question carefully the real value of these 'visits' to foreign countries? The Prince of Wales is not [yet] Head of State so there can be no legitimate reason for these jaunts. What is the purpose, what will be the outcomes? None, I imagine. I think we should be told.
Quite apart from that, the hypocrisy of the man in commandeering a gaz-guzzling Airbus for just twenty of his chums (including the royal toothpaste-squeezer, no doubt) beggars belief. Why can't he take over the first class cabin of a regular scheduled 747 which would involve no extra fuel being burnt as the flight would be going anyway?
HRH should be careful that he does not squander the goodwill of the people with such trips which are so out of tune with the increasingly climate conscious times. Let's not forget, only last month, he jetted to New York to pick up an environmental award (you really couldn't make it up!). He says one thing, yet, with breath-taking audacity, does quite the opposite. We are not all so stupid as not to notice.
- Colin, London
Jet aircraft are being flown half empty all the time, whether they are private or commercial. So what's the problem? Clarence House has given the reason for this particular flight, which I find acceptable.
If the Green Party had their way there would be no cars or planes, and we would all be walking around with plastic bags over our heads, so as to reduce CO2 emissions.
- P.Robinson, Northants,UK
