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Queen Elizabeth’s Embraer Private Jet Caught in Storm, Forced to Abort Original Landing

One might be the most powerful (and well-known) monarch in the world, but even one can’t control the weather. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had a spot of plane trouble upon her arrival in London ahead of this weekend’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Queen's private Embraer jet landed in London with some delay after it got caught in an electrical storm 8 photos
Photo: Niclas Rebbelmund / PlaneSpotters.net
Prince Charles' Aston Martin DB6 VolanteQueen Elizabeth II's Iconic CarsQueen Elizabeth II's Iconic CarsQueen Elizabeth II's Iconic CarsQueen Elizabeth II's Iconic CarsQueen Elizabeth II's Iconic CarsQueen Elizabeth II's Iconic Cars
Queen Elizabeth has been the reigning monarch in the United Kingdom for 70 years, and 2022 is all about celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. Though recently plagued by some mobility issues and in somewhat poorer health, the Queen still managed to attend several major events in recent weeks. This weekend, she will be attending some more in London.

To prepare for the weekend, she rested for a few days at her Balmoral private estate. Then, on May 31, she boarded a private jet to fly from Aberdeen to London, a trip that should have taken just one hour and a half. The plane, a reconfigured Embraer ERJ-135 operated by Luxaviation since 2020, left Aberdeen in a downpour and approached London in an electrical storm with heavy rain and hail.

The Sun reports that the pilot initially came down for the landing at RAF Northolt but pulled back up into the air as the weather conditions were too bad to attempt a landing. The jet circled London for the next 15 minutes, which was enough for the weather to clear. The second landing attempt was successful and uneventful.

“The Queen's flight was delayed due to a lightning storm,” a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace confirms. “All the correct procedures were followed and there were no safety concerns.”

The Queen and the Royal Family fly a variety of aircraft, including military and civilian operated, and even commercial. This Embraer jet was from the latter category, a VIP jet produced until 2020 and reputed for its durability, a spacious and quiet cabin that can seat up to 30 people depending on configuration, and luxury amenities. The Queen also flies on an Airbus Voyager of the Royal Air Force, the No. 10 Squadron, and the Queen’s Helicopter Flight.
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Editor's note: Photos in the gallery show some of Queen Elizabeth's most iconic rides.

About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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