Prince William has joined by David Beckham this morning as the pair headed to view new London Air Ambulance Charity helicopters.
The former England captain, 49, and future King, 42, visited RAF Northolt to view two aircrafts.
William, who worked as an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance between March 2015 and July 2017, again sported his designer stubble – which is also a favourite of the sporting star.
The helicopter is a result of the ‘Up Against Time’ fundraising appeal, which was launched in 2021, after it became clear that within a matter of years, the London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s MD902 helicopters would be out of service, which would have severely affected the outcomes for thousands of patients every year.
The appeal raised £16 million enabling the purchase of two new H135 helicopters which will ensure the medical team can continue to provide their vital services across London.
Maverick and Goose have nothing on this pair! The Prince of Wales and former England captain looked sharp in suits (and matching beards)
During the visit, The Prince will have the opportunity to meet the medical and pilot crews who will use the new helicopters daily and hear how the aircraft will positively impact their roles.
He will also meet with Airbus engineers who were involved in the creation and development of the new helicopters.
His Royal Highness will then meet former patients of London’s Air Ambulance to discuss their experiences and the vital importance of a service like London’s Air Ambulance Charity.
The Prince will have the opportunity to see one of the new helicopters in action during a short flight around the airfield. Finally, The Prince will meet with donors and supporters of the ‘Up Against Time’ fundraising appeal in order to thank them for their efforts.
The Prince of Wales and David Beckham shook hands as they arrived together at the Northolt base
The pair looked ready for take off as they chatted in the cockpit of the helicopter at the base in Northolt
William and Beckham appeared to share a joke as the former footballer got into the cockpit
Beckham, 49, led the way into the helicopter as Prince William followed. The pair both looked sharp in jackets, trousers and suede shoes
Prince William and David Beckham have been long-time friends – although the former England player has previously been close to Prince Harry and Meghan as well
Footballers first! Prince William followed David Beckham into the cockpit of a helicopter as thy visited the Air Ambulance Charity this morning
William’s visit to the charity comes after he revealed just a few weeks ago he would ‘love’ to fly helicopters again during a visit to the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters in Llanelli, South Wales.
During the visit, William revealed there are plans in the pipeline to fly with the Wales Air Ambulance from its base in Cardiff Bay.
He talked shop with the pilots and crew of the £8.5m Airbus H145S chopper, which he is still qualified to fly.
The Prince of Wales also revealed he would love to make a ‘comeback’ and get behind the controls of a helicopter again.
He said during the visit: ‘I’d love to fly again, I could volunteer for a weekend to make a come back.’
Prince William is a patron of the Wales Air Ambulance charity that saves hundreds of lives each year by getting medical teams to accident scenes in their 138mph helicopters.
He was told about developments at the charity since his last visit in 2023 and chatted to flight crews about the latest medical technology on board the fleet of air ambulances.
His visit marked the annual National Air Ambulance Week which raises funds to keep flying doctors in the air.
William completed his training as a helicopter pilot in the RAF Search and Rescue Force back in 2010, later flying an air ambulance for two years before stepping down to take on more royal roles on behalf of Queen Elizabeth.
He was known as Flight Lieutenant Wales when he served with the RAF in Angelsey, North Wales.
During his three-year tour, he took part in 156 search and rescue operations – during which 149 people were rescued.
William has in the past flown his family around on helicopters, such as taking them to the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
However, the late Queen reportedly did not like to see her grandson flying around in helicopters.
Our King by Robert Jobson claims Queen Elizabeth warned William against flying with his eldest son Prince George because of her fears of a tragic accident that would threaten the future of the monarchy.
A source previously told The Sun: ‘Her Majesty has told close friends and courtiers that she would like William to stop flying himself, particularly in bad weather, as helicopters are not the safest form of transport.’
The source added it made the Queen ‘nervous’ and kept her awake at night.
In May this year, William took to the skies in an Apache helicopter after being crowned the leader of his brother’s former Army regiment by King Charles.
Prince Harry qualified as an Apache helicopter commander in 2013, after three years of training.
If Harry and Meghan had not stepped down as working royals in 2020, the appointment as Colonel-in-Chief would likely have been his.
William has made clear his love for piloting helicopters over the years.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk