The Queen bans drones from flying near Balmoral Castle amid Trump visit speculation

THE QUEEN has banned drones from flying near her Scottish castle.

The no-fly zone at Balmoral comes amid speculation that Donald Trump will visit next month.

The Queen is to meet the US president on his trip to Britain but the venue has not been confirmed with speculation Balmoral will be chosen to avoid mass protests.

The drone ban restricts the flying of aerial devices within 1km (1094 yards) of the castle.

The 50,000 acre estate attracts around 70,000 visitors between April and July, before it closes for the arrival of The Queen and other royals.

The Queen was notified that an order was being sought to prevent drones flying over Windsor Castle throughout the royal wedding weekend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle due to privacy and security fears on the wedding day and she agreed to it.

Now she has approved the same restriction at Balmoral – but all the year round.

The estate has posted a note on its website saying: “Please note the flying of drones or any other aerial device within 1km of the Castle at the Balmoral Estate is not allowed at any time of the year.”

A spokeswoman for The Queen declined to comment but it is understood that as well as security issues the ban is also meant to minimise disturbance to the estate’s varied wildlife, such as golden eagles.

One source said:”There are obvious security and privacy issues. These flying unauthorised eyes-in-the-sky raise problems but the estate is also home to a range of wildlife which could be disturbed by drones.”

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said it was not required to make an order as the land was privately owned.

“It is up to the owner to decide what can and cannot be flown there – even a kite,” he said.

The Queen has also banned drones from her Sandringham estate amid fears that the royal family could be targeted by unmanned aircraft carrying a bomb or chemical weapon.