Czech Republic President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva have decided to fly on a regular airline to attend the coronation of British King Charles III on May 6th. The couple will not use a government plane, as is customary for politicians on official trips abroad. The delegation accompanying the President and his wife will be modest, with only a few closest collaborators traveling with them.

Mária Pfeiferová from the team of President Pavel said that the decision to use a commercial flight was made due to the busy nature of London airports, which are often overloaded with arriving visitors. Additionally, the minimalist character of the visit was taken into account, and the option was chosen precisely because of the exceptional nature of this visit.

It is rare for politicians to use commercial flights for official trips abroad due to security reasons. The Czech Republic has two Airbuses that ministers, constitutional, and government officials use for longer distances, as well as several military CASA planes.

King Charles III’s coronation ceremony will take place on May 6th at Westminster Abbey, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. During the ceremony, the King and his wife Camilla will be anointed with sacred oil, and the King will receive the royal apple, wand, and coronation ring.

The coronation will mark King Charles III’s official ascension to the throne, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last year. Although he has been performing his royal duties since her passing, he will only be crowned now. After the ceremony, the King and his wife will proceed to Buckingham Palace, which is located about a kilometer away from Westminster Abbey.

The decision by the Czech Republic’s President and his wife to fly on a regular airline for this exceptional visit highlights their desire to minimize the impact of their travel and focus on the significance of the coronation ceremony. It also demonstrates that government officials can choose alternative means of transportation when the situation warrants it

Article by Prague Forum