By Alexander Stone
The British royal family is no stranger to unusual hobbies and interests, but among the whispers of eccentric pastimes lies a subject that seems almost otherworldly: UFOs. For decades, rumours have swirled about the fascination that certain members of the monarchy have held for unidentified flying objects and extraterrestrial phenomena. From the late Prince Philip’s curiosity about UFOs to King Charles III’s alleged youthful escapades, the story is equal parts historical intrigue and speculative fiction.
Lord Mountbatten and the Silver Saucer
The narrative begins with Admiral of the Fleet Lord Louis Mountbatten, an influential figure within the royal circle and mentor to a young Prince Charles. Mountbatten’s connection to UFOs was not mere hearsay; it was documented. In 1955, a stonemason named Frederick Briggs, who worked on Mountbatten’s estate in Broadlands, reported an extraordinary encounter. While cycling to work, Briggs allegedly witnessed a spinning, top-like object hovering above a field. From its centre descended a column bearing what appeared to be a humanoid figure clad in a dark suit and helmet. Moments later, Briggs was knocked off his bicycle by a wave of light emitted from the object, which then vanished.
Mountbatten took Briggs’s account seriously, recording it in a signed report. While sceptics dismissed the story, UFO researchers often cite it as one of the earliest instances where an aristocrat openly engaged with the phenomenon. Mountbatten’s documented interest in UFOs reflects a unique intersection of aristocratic curiosity and the burgeoning post-war obsession with unidentified flying objects.
The UFO Craze of the 1940s and 1950s
To understand why UFOs captured the imagination of figures like Mountbatten, one must consider the era. The late 1940s marked the dawn of modern UFOlogy, a time when sightings dominated headlines worldwide. The infamous Roswell incident of 1947, where an alleged alien craft crashed in New Mexico, sparked global fascination. In the same year, pilot Kenneth Arnold described seeing nine crescent-shaped objects near Mount Rainier in Washington, coining the term “flying saucers.”
This period coincided with significant geopolitical tension. The Cold War was in its infancy, nuclear weapons had altered the global landscape, and advanced aviation prototypes blurred the line between the possible and the fantastical. For a society on the brink of technological transformation, UFOs symbolised both hope and fear – of alien visitors and human destruction.
Prince Philip’s Lifelong Fascination
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, shared Mountbatten’s interest in UFOs, though his enthusiasm extended beyond mere anecdotes. According to Air Marshal Sir Peter Horsley, who served as Philip’s equerry from 1949 to 1956, the prince avidly collected books and reports on the subject. Horsley, in his memoir Sounds from Another Room, described how the prince encouraged him to investigate UFO sightings, particularly those reported by pilots and military personnel.
Philip’s curiosity was intellectual and wide-ranging. While Horsley’s investigations focused on the potential military implications of UFOs – were they advanced Soviet aircraft? – the prince’s perspective appeared more philosophical. He reportedly welcomed discussions on the topic with witnesses and researchers, hosting them privately at Buckingham Palace.
A Meeting with Mystery
Perhaps the most peculiar anecdote from this era involves Horsley’s encounter with a mysterious figure known only as “Mr Janus.” This enigmatic individual, introduced to Horsley through a retired general, claimed profound knowledge of UFOs and expressed a desire to meet Prince Philip. Mr Janus purportedly spoke of the prince as a visionary whose environmental concerns aligned with future “galactic harmony.”
Though Horsley declined to facilitate the meeting, the episode added an air of mystique to the Duke of Edinburgh’s involvement in the UFO narrative. Was Mr Janus a hoaxer, a government agent, or something more extraordinary? The answer remains elusive.
Crop Circles and King Charles III
The fascination with extraterrestrial phenomena didn’t end with Prince Philip. His eldest son, King Charles III, has also been linked to UFO-related intrigue, albeit in more speculative terms. As Prince of Wales, Charles reportedly harboured an interest in crop circles, those enigmatic patterns that appear mysteriously in fields, often attributed to alien activity.
While sceptics argue that crop circles are the work of human pranksters, their intricate designs and sudden appearances continue to spark debate. Charles’s purported curiosity about these phenomena may stem from a broader interest in nature and the mysteries of the natural world.
One of the more outlandish rumours suggests that Charles once piloted a replica of an alien spacecraft during his youth. Though unverified, such stories contribute to the enduring narrative that the British monarchy has an otherworldly streak.
Why UFOs Captivate the Elite
The royal family’s alleged interest in UFOs might seem surprising, but it fits within a larger pattern of aristocratic engagement with the esoteric. Throughout history, elites have been drawn to the mystical, the unexplained, and the otherworldly. Whether through séances in Victorian drawing rooms or secret societies, the pursuit of the unknown has always offered a form of intellectual escapism.
For the royals, UFOs might represent a bridge between their earthly responsibilities and the infinite possibilities of the cosmos. The post-war era, with its rapid technological advancements and existential threats, likely amplified this allure.
A Legacy of Wonder
The stories of Mountbatten, Philip, and Charles remind us that even the most powerful individuals are not immune to the pull of the unknown. Whether these accounts stem from genuine belief, intellectual curiosity, or a desire for distraction, they add a fascinating dimension to the public image of the British monarchy.
As UFO research gains renewed attention in the 21st century, buoyed by government disclosures and scientific inquiry, the royal family’s historical connection to the phenomenon may yet find its place in the broader narrative. For now, it remains a curious chapter in the annals of both extraterrestrial lore and royal history – a testament to humanity’s enduring fascination with the skies above.
