King powers on with energy efficiency drive

THE King continues to put the environment and sustainability at the heart of his reign, as his vehicle fleet shifts towards being fully electric and the first solar panels have been added to a royal residence.

- Emily Ferguson

Annual accounts show the monarch's two state Bentleys are to be altered this year to run on biofuel so they produce fewer emissions, as an interim measure to a fully electric vehicle fleet.

Gas lanterns at Buckingham Palace turned off in the recent energy crisis to save money — are being adapted with electrical fittings that improve energy efficiency while preserving their historic glow.

Other plans in the drive to net zero include solar panels at Windsor.

Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, gave the Palace's accounts for the first full financial year of the King's reign, saying: "Out went the leaking roof and in came the Castle's first solar panels."

The eco-measure may be followed by heat pumps.

Boost

The efficiency of royal flights has been improved too.