Smoke in cockpit of duke’s jet delays his pallbearers

TWO of the Duke of Westminster’s pallbearers had to be evacuated from his private jet when the plane’s cockpit filled with smoke en route to his funeral in London.

Emergency services were called to Inverness Airport, in Scotland, to assist the £5 million aircraft, which reportedly transported the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children to the south of France for a holiday last week. Five people were on the Citation 750 aircraft, which was to take off at 10am on Friday.

Two of those on board were due to be carrying the coffin of the billionaire landowner who died suddenly, aged 64, from a heart attack on Tuesday.

The pilot is believed to have reported a suspected technical fault during his pre-flight checks and it is reported there was a problem with the air conditioning which caused the plane’s cockpit to fill with smoke.

Following the incident, the aircraft was seen parked up on the north apron of the airport as inspections were carried out during the afternoon.

A Highlands and Island Airports Limited (Hial) spokesman said: “Hial can confirm a precautionary emergency mobilisation took place at approximately 10am on Friday.”

He added that all five people board the plane were unhurt.

A private funeral at the Grosvenor Estate in London, attended by close family members, was held for the duke on Friday. A memorial service will be held later this year. on