Royal Flight Plans In N.Z. Defended

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32232, 26 February 1970, Page 22

Royal Flight Plans In N.Z. Defended

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Febinary 25.

In flying the Queen, the Prince of Wales, Prince Philip, and Princess Anne in one aircraft during next month’s Royal tour of New Zealand, the New Zealand Government was following a formula laid down for similar flights in Britain on Ministerial advice given there in 1963, the New Zealand Secretary to the Queen (Mr P. J. O’Dea) said today.

The air travel plans for the tour had been made after consultations with palace authorities in the light of this British Ministerial formula, and New Zealand did not intend to change the present plans unless an approach was made first by Britain, said Mr O’Dea.

In making its flight plans for New Zealand, where the Royal Family will travel 1300 miles together in a converted N.A.C. Fokker Friendship, the New Zealand Government had fully consulted palace authorities and experts, said Mr O’Dea. In these discussions and in the plans made afterwards, the decisions had been made under Briltish Ministerial advice given in 1963. after the birth Of Prince Andrew, the second male heir to Queen Elizabeth. “This provided that the heir apparent, Prince Charles, could travel with the Queen." said Mr O'Dea. “The second male heir, Prince Andrew, could not travel together with the Queen and the Prince.”

The British Broadcasting Corporation, in its news bulletin to the Pacific this morning, said that 15 British members of Parliament would table in the House of Commons an objection to the Queen and Prince Charles travelling in one aircraft in New Zealand.

The 1963 decision allowing the Queen and Prince Charles to fly together had been reinforced by the subsequent birth of the third male heir to the throne. Prince Edward, said Mr O’Dea.