Prince William says he 'would love' to fly helicopters again during visit to Wales Air Ambulance headquarters

Prince William has revealed he ‘would love’ to fly helicopters again during a visit to the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters today in Llanelli, South Wales. 

The heir to the throne, 42, is a former RAF search and rescue pilot and served the East Anglian Air Ambulance from 2015 to 2017. 

During his visit today, 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. 

Prince William revealed he ‘would love’ to fly helicopters again during a visit to the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters today in Llanelli, South Wales

He said today: ‘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. 

William is pictured in 1999 leaning against a helicopter during a visit to the Army Air Corps

William is pictured at the controls of a Sea King helicopter during a training exercise at Holyhead Mountain, having flown from RAF Valley in Anglesey, north Wales, on March 31, 2011

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. 

William meets with staff and crew members as he visits the Wales Air Ambulance

The Prince of Wales, Patron of Wales Air Ambulance, with Chief Executive of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity Sue Barnes (second left) and Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Sara Edward (right), during a visit to the charity’s headquarters in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire

The Prince of Wales, Patron of Wales Air Ambulance, meets with staff and crew members during a visit to the charity’s headquarters in Llanelli

William showed off his designer stubble after arriving at Llaneli in Carmarthenshire

‘The moment I started the helicopter training, I realized that it was better than anything. It was one of those things that I just instantly took to and thought, “This is really cool,” he said in an episode of Apple Fitness+’s Time To Walk series in 2021. 

This afternoon, the Prince consoled crew who attended a recent double fatal road traffic accident on Anglesey and wanted to make sure systems were in place to help pilots and crew with their mental health after attending horrific incidents.

He told them: ‘I made sure all the First Responders after Southport were getting any help they needed. It’s important you guys feel supported at the right moment.

‘I have always felt that you should get some sort of break from the attritional role of what you are seeing every day.’

Volunteer fundraiser Brian Tolley, 80, of Builth Wells, said: ‘The Prince was very relaxed but there was no mention of the good news about his wife.

‘He has gone through a terrific amount over the last few months but he did not show it. He looked very comfortable and was brilliant with everybody he met here today.’

Prince William, Prince of Wales sits in an Apache helicopter at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, on May 13, 2024

Britain’s King Charles III poses with service personal after he officially handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Prince William

Prince William at the controls of a Sea King helicopter during a training exercise at Holyhead Mountain in 2011

In 2015, William began a new job with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (pictured) before stepping down in 2017 to take on more royal engagements

Earlier in the day, Prince William visited a primary school in Llanelli, west Wales. 

Crowds had waited patiently for hours to greet the future king after the announcement that Kate was cancer free.

After receiving an avalanche of love and support, he told Pauline Thomas, 74: ‘It’s good news but there is still a long way to go.’

Royal fan Sandra Peters, 79, said: ‘I told him, Bore da [Welsh for good morning], you have a beautiful family, I’m so pleased Kate is recovering.

‘He said ‘thank you very much’. He was lovely, he’s so charming.’ She said: ‘I just wrote I’m so happy you’re in recovery. I’m just a little old lady from Swiss Valley Park. I admire your bravery, your family is all so beautiful.’

Footage shows fans saying it was ‘so nice’ to see ‘Catherine’ which William replied ‘thank you so much’. 

It came less than 24 hours after the Princess of Wales, 42, revealed in an intimate family video message that she had completed her course of chemotherapy after an ‘incredibly tough’ nine months.

She said she planned to make a gradual return to royal duties but that her focus was on remaining ‘cancer free’.

William chats with school children at Swiss Valley Community Primary School in Llanelli today

William was given a card that read ‘to our Beautiful Princes of Wales’

Prince William arrives for a visit to Swiss Valley Community Primary School to meet pupils who took part in the 2024 Urdd Eisteddfod, a week-long festival celebrating Welsh language and culture

The Prince was beaming as he arrived in South Wales today

Kate, 42, joined her family in a deeply personal clip, filmed in Norfolk last month, to confirm she will return to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy course. 

Her heartfelt message about her cancer journey is spoken over images showing the Waleses and their children enjoying the outdoors, walking through woods and the couple shown cuddling as they hold hands.

During one emotional moment, as the Princess is heard saying: ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand’, the royal is seen walking through a field.

She holds out one of her hands to run her fingers through the tall grass, and showcases her wedding ring and her new ‘eternity band’, which she appeared to swap out for her engagement ring, that once belonged to her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana.

After spotting the change in the royal’s chosen jewels, royal fans suggested the ring (which Kate also wore in her last appearance) is likely a gift from Prince William – and could be the sign of a ‘fresh start’ now her chemotherapy has ended. 

The Princess of Wales has once again swapped out her engagement ring for her stunning eternity band in a touching new video shared yesterday

During one emotional moment, as the Princess is heard saying: ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand’, the royal is seen walking through a field

Royal fans speculated over the meaning of Kate’s eternity ring, which she now wears alongside her wedding band instead of her engagement ring which belonged to Princess Diana

It isn’t the first time Kate has showcased the jewellery – she wore the ring in a star-studded congratulatory message to Team GB following their success at the Paris Olympics.

Appearing alongside the Prince of Wales, the Princess was seen with a new band on her wedding ring finger, leading royal fans to speculate it is an eternity ring. 

The thick gold ring appeared to be set with diamonds and sapphires, which would match the royal’s engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana.

In her heartfelt message yesterday, Kate describes the past nine months since her serious health issues began as ‘incredibly tough for us as a family’ and how the ‘cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone’, with the experience giving her a ‘new perspective on everything’.

In the video, she says: ‘Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.

‘I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.

‘Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.’

Kate, who is continuing to work from home, is hoping to return to a light programme of public duties for the remainder of the year, reflecting her need to make a full recovery, and aims for a handful of engagements in the coming months. 

She is also working towards appearing with the royal family at the annual Remembrance Sunday service staged at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

The princess’ Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey has become a firm fixture in the royal calendar in recent years and she has begun working with her team on the project.

Kate has received messages of support from the public and said she and her husband had ‘drawn strength’ from all those helping them and ‘Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling’.

Cheeky Louis is seen climbing a tree while his mother watches on 

The princess walks through the woods under dappled sunlight during the video released alongside her statement 

The video, shot in August in Norfolk where the Waleses have a family home, sounded a positive note reflected in the images of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis playing in fields or enjoying a game of cards with their parents under a tree.

It ended with the princess’ words of reassurance for others who are still being treated for cancer: ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.’ 

Kensington Palace has not confirmed whether the princess expects to return to a full programme of duties next year. It is understood that decisions about 2025 will be taken in line with medical advice.

However sources told the Mail tonight that the Princess hopes to do a small number of engagements shining a light on some of the causes, issues and charities that are closest to her heart over the coming months.

They are only likely to be announced last minute as they will depend as and when Her Royal Highness feels able to carry them out, with sources stressing repeatedly that every ‘cancer journey is different’.

Kate announced publicly five months ago that she had been diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy.

Catherine announced publicly five months ago that she had been diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy

The Prince and Princess of Wales’ children run through the woods as William walks alongside them bouncing a tennis ball on a cricket bat 

‘I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits,’ she said at the time, in a highly emotional and unprecedented video message.

The message followed the major abdominal surgery Kate had in January, where she spent two weeks at the London Clinic in Marylebone.

She made her first public appearance since the bombshell announcement in June when she joined the Royal Family to celebrate the King’s official birthday.

Her appearance at Trooping of the Colour had been in doubt after she missed the final rehearsal the weekend prior to the celebration, with confirmation that she would attend only given at 6pm the evening before.

In her second public appearance, the mother-of-three attended Wimbledon alongside her daughter, Princess Charlotte and her sister, Pippa Middleton.

She was greeted with a standing ovation as she headed into the Royal Box during the tennis tournament in July.

Kate – who enjoys taking part in sporting events and showing her support for athletes – also made a surprise appearance alongside Prince William with a star-studded message to Team GB earlier this month.

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