While royals jet around the world for work and leisure, some can pilot their own plane toward their destination.
Members of royal families have been learning to fly for decades, but this article focuses on some of the most recent and well-known examples.
Which royals are pilots? Find out below:
King Rama X and Queen Suthida of Thailand
The King holds a commercial pilot license and landed at one of the most difficult airports (Bhutan) in 2025, when he piloted a plane alongside his wife, Queen Suthida, to and from Bhutan for a state visit. He also has been known to fly his planes to Germany, where he has a home.
Queen Suthida also holds a commercial pilot license; she previously worked as a flight attendant, as well.
The King and Queen of Thailand flying their plane from Bhutan to Thailand. (Screenshot/Fair Use)
Royal Noble Consort Sineenat
The Royal Nobel Consort in Thailand holds a private pilot’s license after training in Germany. The second wife of King Rama X also trained with the Thai Air Force in 2018.
Thai Public Relations Office
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
As one of the most well-known royal pilots, the Dutch king is a very experienced pilot. Unbeknownst to many, he was the co-pilot on many flights with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for years. He first learned to fly during his military training with the Dutch Air Force. King Willem-Alexander holds a private pilot’s license, a commercial pilot license and an airline transport pilot license. In 2024, he co-piloted a plane with his wife, Queen Máxima, on board for a working visit to the United States.
By Ministerie van Defensie – https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2020/07/09/koning-maakt-f-16-vlucht-boven-nederland, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Princess Salma of Jordan
The Princess is the younger daughter of King Abdullah and Queen Rania. She trained with the armed forces and became the first female jet pilot in her country’s history. She was presented with her wings by her father in 2020. Princess Salma has also participated in aid drops in Gaza.
Copyright 2020, Royal Hashemite Court
King Felipe of Spain
The Spanish monarch trained in each branch of the military, and while training with the Spanish Air Force in 1987, he learned to fly. Since becoming King of Spain, he has been seen at royal engagements with the military and even piloting a helicopter.
Prince of Wales
Prince William is a helicopter pilot, training with the Royal Air Force. He spent two years working as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. The Prince has kept up his skills and recently arrived at a royal engagement via a helicopter he flew himself.
Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
The Duke of Sussex
Prince Harry is trained as an Apache Helicopter Pilot and served two tours in Afghanistan, where he served as an air controller and pilot.
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York
Prince Andrew took flying training with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. The Duke of York served in the Falklands War and was a Sea King helicopter co-pilot for missions.
King Charles
The King began training with the Royal Air Force in 1969. He also trained as a helicopter pilot with the Royal Navy in 1974.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
The late Duke of Edinburgh began training to fly planes in 1952. He received his Royal Air Force wings in 1953 and Royal Navy wings in 1956.
Prince Louis of Luxembourg
The Prince, who is the third child of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, holds a private pilot’s license and was trained in the United States.
King Abdullah of Jordan
The King served in the Jordanian Air Force in its anti-tank helicopter wing. He is a trained combat pilot on Cobra helicopters.
Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan
The Crown Prince is a trained pilot and undertook his first solo flight in May 2018.
View this post on Instagram
King Frederik of Denmark
The King was qualified as an air force pilot in 2000.
King Philippe of the Belgians
His Majesty trained as a fighter pilot, and the King has held a pilot’s license for quite a while and flies regularly in France to keep his license. He’s even flown helicopters on royal engagements since ascending the throne.
Leonor, Princess of Asturias
The Spanish heir to the throne will soon join the ranks of royal pilots. She began her training with the Spanish Air Force on 1 September 2025.
© Casa de SM el Rey
Be the first to comment on "Royals who are pilots"