Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have enjoyed plenty of travel together as part of the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussex, of course, has been jet setting on behalf of the royals for many years as the Queen’s grandson. While he used to travel in a manner very similar to his grandmother – there is now a crucial difference.
While the Queen used to travel on commercial airlines – and British Airways in particular, as the flag carrier of the UK – this is no longer the case.
Due to the Queen’s advancing age, Elizabeth will no longer be found flying on scheduled flights, unlike the younger generations.
Royal expert Robert Jobson said last year: “Of course, at 92, 93 next birthday, she is not doing more long-haul flights. She did fly in 2015 to Germany by private jet. “
The Queen does still travel on the royal train, however. Jobson said: “The reality is, they use the royal train a lot. She has away days and she still carries them out to the best of her ability.”
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Another reason the Queen doesn’t travel on schedule flights is for security reasons. The rule is also said to apply to Prince Charles, 70.
Royal biographer Penny Junor said in her 2005 book The Firm: “Since 9/11, the Queen and the Prince of Wales no longer travel on scheduled airlines because of the security risk.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, meanwhile, do not face any restrictions as they are not as close in the line of succession.
In fact, Prince Harry was spotted travel on a commercial airline this weekend as he returned from Japan where he had been attending the Rugby World Cup.
The Duke of Sussex was spotted in a premium economy seat on an All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport to London Heathrow at 11am on Sunday following the devastating defeat by the Springboks.
The 35-year-old’s modest travel choice for the 12-and-a-half hour journey will be welcomed by many royal fans who disapproved of the climate activist’s four private jet flights over an 11-day period over the summer.
A passenger onboard his return flight told the Daily Mail Harry was seated in the premium economy section, which is less comfortable than business and first classes and does not have all the fancy extras.
Drag queen Victoria Secret tweeted: “Sitting across from Prince Harry on our flight to Tokyo… and I can confirm he is a beaut. Nearly fell off my seat when he came on board.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle often employ sneaky techniques to avoid being recognised when they travel like this.
In Channel 5’s documentary ‘Secrets of the Royal Flight’, Royal Correspondent Emily Andrews said: “Harry and Meghan are two of the most famous people in the world. They went to Norway in the early stages of their relationship. It was Norwegian Air.
“No one on that plane knew that Harry and Meghan were on because the whole plane had boarded, they were driven to the back steps, they walked up, they had baseball caps on, snuck into the back seats of the aircraft. No one even knew they were there.”
Meanwhile, Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 37, will use pseudonyms. According to Andrews: “Kate and William on their 2014 tour to Australia travelled under the names of Mr and Mrs Smith and Prince George who was 8 or 9 months at the time was baby Jones.”
