London, Sept 30: The British Queen may be in the
final stages of deciding on the design of a royal plane, which
the monarch hopes to purchase for her personal use.
It is for the first time in her 50-year reign that
Queen Elizabeth II has decided to buy her own private jet.
Apparently fed up at having to share the use of VIP jets with
ministers and military top brass, Her Majesty has taken a
close personal interest in the design of the new plane, for
which the Queen is ready to spend 7 million pounds, The Sun
said.
According to the report, the eighty-two year old Queen
has asked four luxury aircraft makers to come up with plans
for the 7 million pounds royal plane dubbed Monarch Air
and will personally choose the winning design by Christmas.
The Queen has already seen at least one of the models
during a private viewing at RAF Northolt last month, when she
was heard to ask about her pets.
"The Queen has put this out to tender. The jet will be
solely for the royal family for official engagements," a
Buckingham Palace spokesman was quoted as saying by the
British tabloid.
"For the first time in her 50-year reign, Her Majesty
has decided to buy her own plane. It will be exclusively for
her use and that of the Royal Family," a source said.
"She has taken a very personal interest in its design
and its fair to say it will be far from an ordinary aircraft
it will be literally fit for a queen," he said.
Last year, the royal family spent 5.5 million pounds
on official travel, much of it on charter aircraft. The source
added: "From the publics point of view its good news, as it
will save taxpayers cash".
The royal plane will accommodate up to 13 people and
is likely to be furnished in spectacular style, the report
said.
Bureau Report
