Eco warrior King Charles took two 112-mile helicopter trips in 24 hours to attend opening of new Africa centre in London where he talked about climate change
- The King had been up in Sandringham when he opted to take helicopter ride
- He was flown to London to open the new Africa Centre in Southwark area
- Then after joining climate change discussion he took the chopper the way back
King Charles took two helicopter trips in 24 hours to open the new Africa Centre in London where he discussed the effects of climate change.
The Monarch opted to fly the 112 miles from the Royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk to London, where he joined in a discussion about how the effects of climate change in Africa could be mitigated.
It is estimated his total journey of 224 miles would have used hundreds of gallons of aviation fuel.
A Notice to Air Missions was issued on January 26 for a No Flight Zone between Sandringham and London from 11.15am to 12.50pm.
Photos from the visit show a delighted Charles speaking attendees as he laughs along with attendees
Picture shows Kings Charles flight from London as he lands in Sandringham on January 27
Picture shows Kings Charles in Sandringham on January 29 after his two helicopter trips
The period allowed enough time for the Royal helicopter to make the flight for his visit to the new cultural hub in Southwark.
Another NOTAM was then issued for his 45-minute return journey to Sandringham between 11am and 12.40pm the next day.
Buckingham Palace told MailOnline the decision was taken for helicopter to be used to minimise disruption for any other people.
A spokesperson said: ‘Royal Travel seeks to find the best balance of security, efficiency, and the need to minimise disruption for others when planning transport for His Majesty’s busy programme.’
It is estimated his total return journey of 224 miles would have used hundreds of gallons of aviation fuel
The royal, 74, was greeted with rhythmic drums as he began his engagement, smiling as he stopped to speak with the musicians
Last summer it was revealed that Charles and Camilla took more than 40 private flights between them in 2021 to travel around the UK and Ireland, including to the UN Climate Conference COP26 in Glasgow.
Private planes and helicopters use 10 to 20 times the carbon emissions of a normal plane, a train, or an electric car.
One tonne of carbon emissions is the equivalent to driving the circumference of the Earth one time.
One additional metric tonne of carbon emissions can lead to a three-square metre loss of Artic ice, according to a recent study published in the journal Science.
King Charles III appeared in high spirits as he grinned and laughed on his visit to the Africa Centre in Southwark, London
Charles was in high spirits as he grinned and laughed on his visit to The Africa Centre.
He had been greeted with rhythmic beats from the Oduduwa Talking Drummers as he began his engagement, smiling as he stopped to speak with the musicians.
At one point one of the centre’s representatives joked that the party ‘can begin’ once the monarch arrived, to which he quipped back: ‘That’s what worries me.’
He also praised African music as he stopped by the Radio Colourful studio, which describes itself as ‘the leading radio station celebrating the rhythm, wit and thoughts of the African and African-Caribbean community’.
Calling it ‘fantastic’, Charles added: ‘It’s impossible to sit still.’
Charles spoke to artists and also joined a discussion about the effects of climate change in Africa and the role of African people in the UK, during his visit to the cultural hub in Southwark.
A delighted Charles was today pictured visiting The Africa Centre in London, where he got a tour of the cultural hub
He also praised African music as he stopped by the Radio Colourful studio, which describes itself as ‘the leading radio station celebrating the rhythm, wit and thoughts of the African and African-Caribbean community’
Charles also spoke in private to a group of leading figures from the African community, including Lord Boateng and Nigerian High Commissioner Sarafa Tunji Isola, on a range of issues.
He was given some insight into the impact of climate change in Africa, which has been hit by life-threatening floods and an increasing exhaustion of its natural resources.
Nzube Ufodike, a trustee at The Africa Centre, described the King’s visit as being like ‘a pat on the back’ for the work that is being done by the organisation.
‘It is a sort of acknowledgement in my view of the work we are trying to do and also what we have done so far,’ he said.
Mr Ufodike added: ‘It is a privilege to be within spaces that can help further the African narrative, that can help champion the African cause and help champion people of African descent who are trying to do more within our communities.’
Speaking of welcoming the monarch, Ayan De First, of the Oduduwa Talking Drummers, remarked: ‘I am so proud, so happy and so honoured because this is what we normally do for our kings in Nigeria.
‘What we were saying with the drum is playing a special rhythm for the royals, which is to say we respect the king and we are paying homage.’
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