Queen Elizabeth II’s Luxury Helicopter Revealed for Sale: King Charles Sells Royal Chopper for £5 Million—What’s Inside This Exclusive ‘Head of State Aircraft’?

In a shocking turn of events, the plush interior of Queen Elizabeth II’s luxury helicopter has been revealed for the first time as it is put up for sale. The red Sikorsky, which was a staple in the late monarch’s fleet for over a decade, is now on the market, and it comes with a price tag that’s sure to make any collector—or royal enthusiast—gasp. Priced at a cool £5 million, this “Head of State Aircraft” is set to be replaced by two sleek, eco-friendly £8.5million Leonardo choppers, but what does this vintage royal jet actually offer? Let’s just say, it’s not your average helicopter ride.

The Inside Scoop: Queen’s Sikorsky Chopper Is a Flying Palace

For the first time, exclusive pictures of the helicopter’s plush interior have been unveiled, offering a glimpse of the royal comforts that Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed during her many air travels. The images show an interior decked out in luxurious grey leather and suede seats that scream comfort, accompanied by a royal blue carpet fit for a queen. It’s a far cry from the cold, utilitarian interior most passengers expect in a helicopter, and it’s clear that the late monarch was accustomed to flying in style—despite her well-known fear of flying.

Inside, you’ll find a selection of luxury additions that any royal would expect. Tinted windows provide privacy and protection from prying eyes, while magazine racks, a cordless phone, and even a wooden clock create an ambiance of high-end sophistication. This isn’t just a chopper; it’s a flying sanctuary. With over 5,222 flying hours under its belt, this Sikorsky helicopter served Queen Elizabeth for nearly 14 years, and now it’s ready to find its next owner.

King Charles Moves on: A £5 Million Sale

While the Sikorsky helicopter may have flown Queen Elizabeth II around on countless official duties and personal trips, it’s clear that King Charles is ready to move on. According to royal insiders, the beloved eight-seater helicopter is being sold by Aero Asset as part of King Charles’s ongoing push to modernize the royal fleet with more eco-friendly options. The new helicopters, which are expected to be two £8.5 million Leonardo choppers, will take over the role of transportation for the royal family.

This sale isn’t just about upgrading the fleet—it also marks the end of an era. Queen Elizabeth had a complicated relationship with flying, with royal experts claiming that she was terrified of planes. Yet, she still made several important trips in the helicopter, including one from Sandringham to Windsor shortly after her 96th birthday, just months before her passing. Now, as King Charles lets go of the Sikorsky, it’s clear that the royals are making a shift in both their personal and environmental priorities.

A Reluctant Royal Flyer: Queen Elizabeth’s Fear of Flying

Despite her many years of experience as the queen and the thousands of official engagements she undertook, Queen Elizabeth II was notoriously afraid of flying. This fear has been well documented over the years, with many royal experts suggesting that it was a source of stress for Her Majesty. However, even in the face of her anxieties, she was committed to attending important events, and the Sikorsky helicopter provided her with the ultimate means of getting from one royal duty to the next.

In fact, there was one particular flight after her 96th birthday that caught the attention of the public. It was a journey from Sandringham to Windsor, taken just months before Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022. Despite her reluctance to fly, the Sikorsky chopper became an integral part of her royal duties, ensuring that the queen could travel across the UK for engagements when time was of the essence.

Now, with the helicopter being put up for sale, the legacy of this aircraft will live on—though it’s unclear who the next owner will be. Some have speculated that the chopper could be purchased by a wealthy collector or perhaps a government entity, but the true fate of this luxurious piece of aviation history remains unknown.

The Royal Range Rover: Up for Grabs, Too

Along with the sale of the helicopter, another iconic royal vehicle is hitting the market: Queen Elizabeth’s customized Range Rover. This supercharged L322, which the queen used between 2006 and 2008, is also being sold. The vehicle, which has undergone several modifications, features side steps, rear grab handles, and even a dog guard—perfect for her beloved corgis. The Range Rover is an embodiment of practicality and comfort, much like the queen herself, and it could fetch a significant sum on the open market.

This Range Rover, once part of the queen’s private fleet, is yet another example of the royals’ penchant for blending style with utility. While the queen often traveled in style, she also appreciated a certain level of practicality in her vehicles. The modifications to this Range Rover ensured that it was perfectly suited to her needs, and it’s no surprise that it’s now on offer for those looking to own a piece of royal history.

A Royal Legacy for Sale: What’s Next?

As King Charles begins to modernize the royal fleet with more eco-conscious options, the sale of both the Sikorsky helicopter and the customized Range Rover signals a major shift in how the royal family will approach transportation in the future. Gone are the days of lavish, gas-guzzling vehicles and helicopters. Instead, King Charles is taking steps to reduce the royal family’s carbon footprint, making the shift to greener, more sustainable options.

This could signal a wider trend of modernization within the royal family—one that embraces both environmental concerns and a desire to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. Whether the sale of these vehicles will be the end of an era or the beginning of a new chapter remains to be seen. But for now, the public is eagerly awaiting the final auction price for the Sikorsky and the Range Rover, both of which are likely to go for much more than their initial asking price.

The End of an Era: Queen Elizabeth’s Final Fleet

For many, the sale of Queen Elizabeth’s helicopter and Range Rover represents the end of an era. These iconic vehicles were part of a period when the queen’s personal preferences were often in the spotlight, yet she remained grounded in the traditions of royal life. Now, with King Charles at the helm and a more modern and sustainable future ahead, the royal family’s shift in transportation is a clear indication that things are changing.

As the world watches, the sale of these royal relics may mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another in the ever-evolving story of the British monarchy. And for collectors and fans of royal history, the chance to own a piece of Her Majesty’s legacy is one that shouldn’t be missed.

Will these vehicles find their way into the hands of a wealthy collector, or will they serve as part of a larger historical archive? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain—the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II lives on in every part of the royal family’s history, from their luxurious vehicles to their more environmentally conscious future.