A new no-fly zone has been imposed over a much-loved royal residence amid fears of drones circulating in the area. The blanket year-long no-fly area was imposed over Sandringham, in Norfolk, within days of the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, it is reported.
The no-fly zone order has been passed for “security for members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries staying at or visiting Sandringham House”.
Ahead of the Ukrainian President’s visit to the UK in March, witnesses told The Sun there was a major security operation around the King’s 60-acre estate.
Before Zelensky flew in to see the King, one of the drones spotted hours before, and traced to a man sitting in a car. A source said: “It prompted a security scare. The operator was tracked down and spoken to.”
One drone was also traced to a photographer, but the source of others are still believed to be unknown. Modern technology, such as using drones, could mean there is a risk of explosive devices or surveillance cameras being used that can be operated from miles away.
While there was no specific UK threat, it is understood there was a concern that Sandringham is increasingly a location for important State events.
The new order for a new-fly zone was signed off by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. The order was drawn up at the request of the security services on March 6, four days after Zelensky’s visit, and came into force on March 10.
It states: “The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the vicinity of Sandringham House, Norfolk, having regard to the security considerations associated with this location by reason of it being the residence of members of the Royal Family.”
Zelensky was in London early March for the talks on European defence, and it followed a fiery exchange with US President Donald Trump in the White House a few days earlier.
King Charles’s impromptu meeting with Mr Zelensky took place in March after the president met with Labour leader, Keir Starmer, and hosted a weekend summit of EU leaders on the Ukraine/Russia crisis. It emerged Sir Keir Starmer urged Volodymyr Zelensky to return to the White House and patch up his relationship with Donald Trump after the showdown saw Mr Trump accuse Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” and being “disrespectful” towards America.
In the public spat, Donald Trump and Zelensky clashed in their meeting in front of media at the White House in Washington D.C. in a tense exchange.
The King’s meeting with Zelensky came as Donald Trump shared a social media post urging Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “back down” and accept the US’s terms to end the war in Ukraine.
At the Oval Office Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, berated Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” and not thanking the US enough for its support.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Trump explained. “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country – this country.”