According to a new book, King Charles and Prince William clashed earlier this year over the safety of the royal family flying by helicopter. The upcoming biography *Katherine the Princess of Wales* by Robert Jobson, set to be released soon, reveals that King Charles had serious concerns about Prince William using a helicopter for travel with Kate Middleton and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. This led to a heated argument between the two.
An excerpt from Jobson’s book, published by The Daily Mail, details how King Charles raised these concerns after coming to terms with his own mortality following his cancer diagnosis announced in February. The King even provided William with a formal document acknowledging the risks involved and taking full responsibility for their actions during the argument.
Charles’s concerns echo those previously expressed by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth. According to Jobson, Queen Elizabeth had also asked William not to travel with his family by helicopter between Kensington Palace and their former residence at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which is 115 miles away. The book notes that Queen Elizabeth, haunted by the 1967 helicopter crash that killed her flight captain, had strong opinions on the matter.
Buckingham Palace generally does not comment on private discussions or personal opinions, but it is known that the safety and security of the royal family are a top priority when determining their travel arrangements. The Palace has thoroughly assessed the risks of flying the entire family together versus implementing a strategy where some members travel separately.
Elsewhere in the book, Kate, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, is praised for her calming influence on William, especially in easing tensions between him and his father. A source told Jobson that Kate always tries to understand both sides of any argument and is the emotionally mature one in their relationship. King Charles also values Kate’s positive impact on his eldest son. According to the book, “I believe the King is aware that Catherine has a positive effect on the entire family. He cherishes and truly values all that she does,” a retainer said.