Andrew in secret deal to snub RAF and fly on a private jet
£7600-an-hour plane used for official trips
PRINCE Andrew made a deal to fly to overseas engagements on a banking tycoon chum’s £40million private jet instead of a plane provided by the RAF.
It is claimed he used David Rowland’s 14-seat jet at least five times for official duties from 2017 at a cost of £7600 per hour.
In an email to Rowland’s son, Jonathan, 44, the prince, 59, reportedly said he was “deeply grateful” for the flights after he became “frustrated” with having to use an ageing RAF aircraft.
It is claimed he wrote: “I am deeply, deeply grateful to your father for making this possible. I have a completely different outlook on life.”
Some of the alleged flights are claimed to have been while the prince combined promoting his Pitch@Palace project and Rowland’s business ventures. An insider said the Royal Travel office makes arrangements for official travel undertaken by the royals and were baffled by his alleged £7600-per-hour flights for official business.
The duke’s only income is a £20,000-a-year Navy pension and a reported £249,000 paid to him by the Queen each year.
Rowland, who has a net worth of £612million, is a former treasurer of the Tory Party but resigned over his status as a tax exile.
Yesterday, Buckingham Palace insisted the fights were not taxpayer-funded but would not explain how they were paid for.
A spokesman said: “The Sovereign Grant funds official overseas travel undertaken by the royal family. None of the flights detailed were paid for by the Sovereign Grant.”