Thursday, as Prince William and other senior royals went to visit the Queen before her death, they encountered a mystery hour-long delay.
The Sun says that the RAF plane carrying Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie took off for Balmoral at 2:39 p.m. instead of the anticipated 1:30 p.m.
Unknown at this time is the cause of the last-minute delay at RAF Northolt in South Ruislip.
According to analysts, Prince Harry was not aboard the jet and had to make his own way to Scotland because a disaster would have triggered a constitutional crisis.
It is reported that the Duke of Sussex was outraged that he did not make it to Balmoral in time, arriving two hours after the death of his cherished grandmother.
According to sources, the RAF plane carrying Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie took off for Balmoral at 2:39 p.m., despite being scheduled to depart at 1 p.m.
A fleet of vehicles, including a Range Rover driven by William and accompanied by Andrew, Edward, and Sophie, arrived at Balmoral shortly after 5 p.m.
“There is a significant constitutional reason why William and Harry do not fly together, and it has to do with the line of succession,” said royal historian Brian Hoey.
‘Royal aides must examine everything, therefore it’s possible that this was a factor.
While the events transpired rapidly, they had years to prepare for any eventuality.
Mr. Hoey, a constitutional specialist, added that the ‘rapidity of events’ had taken everyone by surprise and could have impacted travel arrangements.
Kate, the wife of Prince William, remained at Adelaide Cottage to collect their children George, Charlotte, and Louis from their first day of school while William travelled to visit his grandmother.
At 1.50 p.m., the Sussexes announced that both Harry and his wife Meghan would be traveling to Scotland. However, at 4.40 p.m., they clarified that Meghan will remain in England.
After travelling over from the United States for a series of charity engagements in London, Manchester, and Germany, they were staying at Frogmore Cottage.
At 12.32 p.m., Buckingham Palace released a statement indicating that doctors were concerned about the Queen’s health.
On September 10, William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, from left to right, wave to well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement at 6.31pm stating, “The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.”
As the future king, the Prince of Wales, and second-in-line to the throne, the Duke of Cambridge, cleared their schedules to rush to the Queen’s house in Aberdeenshire, they reported that the head of state was comfortable and that royal medics advised she remain under medical observation.
Clarence House announced at 12:45 p.m. that Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall had traveled to Balmoral. A minute later, Kensington Palace confirmed that William will be traveling north as well.
According to Flightradar24.com, the Royal Air Force flight KRF23R took off from RAF Northolt in South Ruislip, west London, at 14:39.
William, Duke of York, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex were aboard the aircraft.
The Dassault Falcon landed at the Aberdeen airport at 15:50.
A fleet of automobiles, including a Range Rover driven by William with Andrew as the passenger and Edward and Sophie in the back, arrived at Balmoral shortly after 5 p.m.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement at 6:31 p.m. stating, “The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.” The King and Queen Consort will spend the night at Balmoral and return to London tomorrow.
Charles, who became king upon the passing of his mother, stated just after 7 p.m., “The passing of my cherished mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a time of profound sorrow for me and my entire family.”
“We mourn deeply the demise of a revered monarch and a much-beloved mother.” I am certain that her passing will be keenly felt by innumerable people across the nation, the Realms, the Commonwealth, and the world.
‘During this time of loss and transition, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the Queen’s widespread esteem and devotion.’
At 7:08 p.m., the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, declared “the passing of the second Elizabethan period” and finished her speech with “God save the King.”
She refers to Charles as King Charles III, adding, “Today the Crown passes, as it has for more than a millennium, to our new monarch, our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III.”
Clarence House confirmed Charles’ new title as King Charles III at 7:25 p.m.
At 7:41 p.m., Kensington Palace confirmed that Kate and William will now be referred to as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.