This happened a couple of weeks ago as well ; I was actually lined up on the runway at Leeds when my VFR departure clearance was cancelled, and ATC asked me (rather breathlessly) if I could accept a special VFR clearance instead, as they had become Class A and had "purple airspace" (obviously old habits die hard, then!).
If I'd known it was His Royal Andyness popping in for lunch with you, Dylan, I'd have polished the old bird up a bit ....
Anyway, I'm pleased to report that my SPECIAL departure went ... umm ... well, exactly the same as all the others I've ever done, really ....
Does strike me as a load of old cobblers ..... and no, I'm not anti-monarchy, I just agree with some of the comments above regarding safety ... surely better to keep a low profile if you want to be safe ?
FF
