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Prince Charles and Camilla travel with one unnecessarily large entourage (that left Theresa May without a plane)

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall
The Prince and Duchess booked the aircraft first [Photo: PA]

If you were the British Prime Minister embarking on a diplomatic visit to the Middle East, organising your transport there would be the last thing on your mind.

But recently, Theresa May was forced to charter a private jet for the trip as Prince Charles and his entourage had already booked her official RAF plane for their own endeavours.

Visiting tourist cottages and other activities, for example.

Theresa May
Theresa May set off to the Middle East a few days ago [Photo: PA]

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall went on three-country tour of central Europe, including to Romania where the prince owns and runs eco farmhouses in Transylvania with local aristocrat and conservationist Count Kálnoky.

According to Clarence House, because the Prince booked the trip first, he was entitled to use of the plane – in other words, he called dibs.

The RAF Voyager A330 in question sparked controversy a couple of years ago as it cost the taxpayer £10 million in an attempt to save money on chartering private aircraft for official visits.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in Italy [Photo: PA]

So while Theresa May was busy talking to governments – including that of Saudi Arabia – the Prince and Duchess embarked on a nine-day tour of Italy, Romania and Austria – not forgetting to take their artist, personal doctor and hairdresser for the Duchess on board with them.

A Downing Street spokesman told The Independent: “The royal visit was organised some time in advance of the PM’s Middle East visit, in discussion with the government.

“Two visits at the same time means one aircraft will always have to be chartered.”

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