Prince William and late Queen had huge row over his ‘defiant act’

Queen Elizabeth had a deep bond with her grandchildren, who all remember her fondly and spoke highly of her. Following her passing, her eight grandchildren—Prince William, Prince Harry, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, James, and Lady Louise—came together in mourning, participating in a vigil around her coffin at Westminster Hall.

Despite her close relationship with them, Queen Elizabeth was not hesitant to express her disapproval if she felt they were out of line. Royal commentator Robert Jobson reveals in his new book, *Catherine, The Princess of Wales*, that a significant disagreement arose between the late Queen and Prince William over his defiance of her wishes.

According to Jobson, the conflict centered around travel arrangements. The Queen and King Charles had advised Prince William against using his helicopter for family trips. William, however, chose to disregard their advice. This disregard led to a notable altercation between him and the Queen, who was not shy about showing her displeasure.

Jobson’s book highlights that one particular point of contention was William’s decision to fly his family from Kensington Palace to their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, despite the Queen’s concerns about the safety of such travel. The Queen had been deeply affected by a 1967 helicopter crash that had killed the Captain of the Queen’s Flight, although no royal family members were aboard at the time. This past incident made her especially wary of any potential dangers related to helicopter travel.

The author notes that although Prince William was a skilled pilot, having worked as a Search and Rescue pilot in the RAF and later with the Air Ambulance Service, the Queen’s apprehension about such flights was rooted in past tragedies and a cautious approach to safeguarding her family.

In this context, the Queen’s reaction to William’s actions was stern. Her insistence on safety and adherence to royal advice was a reflection of her broader concerns for her family’s well-being and the traditions she upheld.

The dynamic between Prince William and the late Queen illustrates the tension that can arise within royal families, even among those who share close personal bonds. It also sheds light on the strict adherence to protocol and safety that was important to the Queen.