Prince William teamed up with none another than David Beckham to view new London Air Ambulance Charity helicopters this morning.
The former England captain, 49, and future King, 42, visited RAF Northolt in Ruislip, West London, to view two aircrafts and celebrate smashing a £15million fundraising target to replacing the ageing fleet.
The pair greeted each other like old friends and they were pictured laughing in the cockpit together, while William couldn’t resist taking the pilot’s seat.
The football legend revealed that the Prince of Wales had reached out with a rare personal phone call to arrange the trip – and that he had to ‘hide his excitement’ at the news.
He said: ‘It was just an honour to be invited by Prince William to be involved with this.’
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Maverick and Goose have nothing on this pair! The Prince of Wales and former England captain looked sharp in suits (and matching beards)
When asked to shed more light on the personal invitation, he added: ‘Yeah, I know what this means to Prince William.
‘And the moment he called and asked me, yeah I had to hide my excitement a little bit because like I said, I’ve been a fan of the London Air Ambulance for a long time, being an East end boy.
‘These guys rely on public funding, donations, so the fact I could get involved so that we could raise the money that we raised and bought one of these incredible helicopters! So it’s nice to help in a small way.’
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 star athlete.
The new H135 helicopters are 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.
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The Prince of Wales and David Beckham shook hands as they arrived together at the Northolt base
Beckham describes ‘honour’ to help Prince William with air ambulance
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The pair looked ready for take off as they chatted in the cockpit of the helicopter at the base in Northolt
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William and David Beckham were all smiles as they enjoyed the morning visit, sharing a joke with one another
Four million of that was raised by the Omaze campaign for the appeal, which was backed by Beckham.
Football fan William and David were all smiles as they enjoyed this morning visit, and even appeared to share a joke as they both got into the cockpit of a helicopter together.
Both men signed each of the aircraft, with Willam writing ‘back in the middle!’ on one and Beckham writing ‘thank you! Fly safe, love David Beckham’, signed off with a kiss and the number 7 – his former shirt number.
Elsewhere, both were pictured being shown the charity’s medical equipment and tech – as well as taking selfies with the crew.
The pair also appeared to sport similar ensembles, both opting for black suits teamed with white shirts.
Beckham said he’d been honoured to ‘celebrate what these guys do, to meet the medics, to meet the pilots.
‘It’s something that like I say, as an East End boy, I’ve seen these in the air for many many years and I know the work that they do, the incredible work that they do.’
When the prince chatted to the pilots, he turned to point at one of the decommissioned helicopters and said: ‘I can’t believe they’re 20 years old.’
Pilot Pete Driver responded and said he didn’t expect to get so emotional during this last flight in the aircraft, adding: ‘They have been fantastic.’
Speaking with the Airbus engineers who were involved in the creation and development of the new helicopters, William said: ‘I can’t believe it’s materialised, this is it!’
The two new helicopters will be used operationally from today.
‘You’re looking very dapper’ Mechanic praises Prince William
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The signatures of the Prince of Wales (left) and David Beckham on one of the new helicopters which they signed during their visit
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Both men appeared in great spirits as they shook hands with one another during the visit to RAF Northolt
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David and William were both all smiles as they exchanged a conversation during today’s visit to RAF Northolt
Before heading for a private reception with some of the charity’s executives and donors, William spoke to two patients who the London Air Ambulance Charity had treated.
The Prince heard how Matt Smith, 60, wouldn’t have been here today if it wasn’t for the rapid response of one of the helicopters.
He was waiting to cross the road in May 2003 when a car ploughed into him, breaking both his eye sockets, both cheek bones, nose, left arm and the ribs down his left side.
‘I would have been dead if it wasn’t for the London Air Ambulance,’ he said afterwards.
Wiilliam was originally planned to join the delivery flight of one of the helicopters from the military airfield to the Royal London Hospital.
But due to the heavy downpours and low cloud cover impairing visibility, the flight was cancelled.
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The pair greeted each other like old friends, as Beckham revealed he’d been ‘personally’ invited
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The football legend added that the invite had been an ‘honour’ and that he’d had to ‘hide’ his excitement
Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, has a friendly relationship with the Beckham family, with David and Victoria attending his wedding to Kate in 2012, as well as Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018.
The former England captain has remained close to both the battling brothers – as well as their father, King Charles.
In 2020, David appeared in a video for William’s charity Heads Up, while the pair have attended various football games together, including with his son Romeo in the Royal Box at Wembley.
David also queued for 13 hours to see the late Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall – refusing to skip the line.
After paying his respects to Her Late Majesty, he said: ‘Anytime throughout my career I’ve been asked to do anything regarding the royal family, Her Majesty, the princes, our King now, I have always been very willing to do that.
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David pictured being shown a medical kit bag by members of the Air Ambulance crew during the visit
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A smiling William was shown around one of the new helicopters by members of the Air Ambulance crew
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William appeared to be in good spirits as he examined the helicopter during today’s visit to RAF Northolt
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Pictured: The Prince of Wales poses for a selfie with members of the Air Ambulance crew during the visit
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The Prince of Wales was shown a medical kit bag by members of the Air Ambulance crew as he visited
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The royal listened on as he heard about the work done by the Air Ambulance crew, during today’s visit
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The Prince of Wales pictured speaking with Chief Pilot Captain Sam Tompkins (right) and members of the Air Ambulance crew
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William eagerly listened as he was shown the inside of one of the new helicopters during the RAF Northolt visit
The Prince was all smiles as he and David Beckham made a visit to RAF Northolt to view the two new London Air Ambulance Charity helicopters
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David spoke with Chief Pilot Captain Sam Tompkins (left) and members of the Air Ambulance crew
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David was, much like William, also shown a medical kit bag by members of the Air Ambulance crew
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David, pictured, also joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at Earthshot Awards in Boston last year
‘I grew up in a family that were royalists. Today I think back to my grandparents because if my grandparents were alive they would have been here, so it’s nice to be here to celebrate with everybody the life of Her Majesty and her legacy that she leaves.’
David also joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at Earthshot Awards in Boston last year.
He also invited them to his son Brooklyn’s wedding, which they sadly couldn’t attend but did wish the family a ‘great deal of joy’.
Speaking about William and Harry in 2012, William said: ‘They’re two people who have grown up in the spotlight and the respect that I have for them, and that people in our country and all over the world have for them, is amazing,’
‘I have a huge amount of respect for William and Harry because of what they’ve been through from a very young age. They’re a credit obviously to their mum and everyone in the Royal Family.’
Later on today, William visited the 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalist, ENSO, in Brentford, west London.
The visit comes as they announce a pioneering new strategic partnership with Uber across the UK and USA.
‘I’ve done it loads of times!’: Prince William changes a tyre
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Britain’s Prince William touches a car tyre as he visits the 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalist ENSO
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While there, William changed one of ENSO’s environmentally tyres after the major Uber deal was signed
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The Prince of Wales talking to Gunnlaugur ‘G’ Erlendsson, the CEO of ENSO
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Britain’s Prince William visits the 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalist ENSO, a UK-based tyre startup
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The London-based start-up, which was a Finalist in the 2023 ‘Clean Our Air’ category, creates tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles that are more sustainable
The London-based start-up, which was a Finalist in the 2023 ‘Clean Our Air’ category, creates tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles that are more sustainable and reduce harmful tyre pollution, leading to cleaner air for everyone.
While there, William showed himself to be the Prince of Wheels as he changed one of ENSO’s environmentally tyres after the major Uber deal was signed.
At a Kia garage in west London, the future king was offered the chance by ENSO’s senior tyre technician Andrew Bernard, 28, to change the first tyre on its inaugural Uber vehicle, a Kia e-Niro.
Andrew admired his suit saying: ‘You’re looking very dapper!’ Asked whether he had changed a tyre before before, the prince said: ‘Oh loads of times!’
‘This should be a walk in the park then,’ joked Andrew.
The laughing royal added: ‘Not necessarily with quite so much pressure at this.’
But William handled the tool knowledgeably, with Andrew even saying: ‘You did that better than me. You can replace me.’ William later managed to put two nuts back on.
He was then asked to help put it back on and peppered Andrew with questions about how the technology worked.
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William showed himself to be the Prince of Wheels as he expertly handled a tyre
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He made quick work of the tyre change, saying he’d done it many times before
‘Dreamwork makes the team work,’ the fitter said. He told William he had been working for ENSO for a year and had ‘loved every minute of it.
‘The company’s going from strength to strength at the moment,’ William said.
‘Fantastic, ‘ said Andrew, ‘if you’ve got some spare time you should come and work with us.’
‘I wouldn’t drive it quite yet,’ quipped the prince.
‘You’ve done this before,’ interjected the company’s founder, Gunnlaugur Erlendsson known as ‘G’. ‘I’ll give you a job.’
Andrew said afterwards with a reference to Queen Elizabeth who famously learned to change her own tyres when she worked in the ATS during the Second World War: ‘He was very attentive with everything I threw at him and clearly knew what he was doing. If his grandmother could do it, then so could he. He was great, easy going and down to earth.’
During the visit, The Prince talked to the founder and CEO of ENSO, Mr Erlendsson, to hear how the business has developed and scaled since.
William, 42, admitted he hadn’t been aware of the scale of global tyre pollution until he met the ENSO team.
‘I don’t think many members of the public understand,’ he said.
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Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to Gunnlaugur ‘G’ Erlendsson, the CEO of ENSO
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Britain’s Prince William visits the 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalist ENSO, a UK-based tyre startup developed specifically for electric vehicles
Uber Global CMO Jill Hazelbaker, whose firm is meeting up to 50 per cent of the costs involved in changing to ENSO tyres, told him: ‘We love the impact you are all having.
‘You are finding these amazing entrepreneurs and innovators and helping them to scale up. Our customers want us to invest in products that are more sustainable and our drivers want options that are low cost. So it’s a win for us all. ‘
William said he hoped Earthshot’s rigorous process of selection was giving business the confidence to seize the opportunity.
Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, told the prince they were continuing to work with Uber on other environmental solutions provided by other Earthshot finalists.
‘It really exciting. Meeting the best and brightest. What you are doing is incredible,’ Ms Hazelbaker told the prince. ‘It’s a match made in heaven.’
‘We want to scale that momentum faster and bigger,’ enthused William. It’s really exciting. We are so pleased.’
‘We couldn’t be prouder or happier and we are going to do this at pace,’ agreed the ENSO founder.
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.’
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Pictured: Prince William, Prince of Wales signs one of the new helicopters during a visit to RAF Northolt
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William and David appeared to enjoy a warm chat as they both arrived for the visit to RAF Northolt
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Both William and David looked delighted to sit in the helicopter as they examined the interior together
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The pair enjoyed a chat as they sat in the cockpit together, during today’s morning visit to RAF Northolt
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David laughed as he and William appeared to exchange jokes during their visit to RAF Northolt on Tuesday
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Beckham, 49, led the way into the helicopter as Prince William followed. The pair both looked sharp in jackets, trousers and suede shoes
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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
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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
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Footballers first! Prince William followed David Beckham into the cockpit of a helicopter as thy visited the Air Ambulance Charity this morning
Harry arrives in London for WellChild awards in latest solo UK visit
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.
