Monarch makes unexpected royal move amid heightened public interest and security concerns
King Charles III has caught many Britons by surprise with a significant decision—choosing to part ways with his late mother Queen Elizabeth II’s private helicopter just as headlines swirl over the recent release of Princess Anne’s would-be kidnapper.
The 76-year-old monarch has listed the royal family’s iconic red 2009 Sikorsky S-76C++ for sale, ending a 15-year chapter of use that spanned countless royal journeys, including the Queen’s personal flights between Sandringham and Windsor. The aircraft, which seats eight and features plush grey leather seating, blue carpet, and custom interior touches such as a magazine rack and clock, is described as having had only “one owner since new” in a listing by helicopter broker AeroAsset.
The sale marks a shift in royal transport strategy, with King Charles opting for two more environmentally friendly AgustaWestland AW139 jets—each believed to cost around £8.5 million and capable of running on up to 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel.
In a further nod to the monarch’s evolving legacy, Queen Elizabeth’s former personal Range Rover—used from 2006 to 2008—is also being auctioned off. The custom vehicle includes features tailored to the Queen’s lifestyle, such as a bespoke dog guard, enhanced security wiring, and a symbolic ornament of a labrador holding a grouse.
The announcement comes just as reports confirm the release of Ian Ball, the man who attempted to kidnap Princess Anne in 1974, from a high-security psychiatric facility. Though the decision to sell the Queen’s helicopter is unrelated, the timing has added a layer of intrigue and public reflection around royal security, legacy, and modernisation.
With King Charles continuing to make changes that reflect both environmental priorities and a modern royal image, this latest move signals his intent to balance tradition with transition—offering a glimpse into a monarchy steadily adapting to a new era.
