Prince William has been 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 and the Prince couldn’t resist sitting in the pilot’s seat – after revealing last month he’s very keen to get back into flying.
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)
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.
‘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.’
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
The signatures of the Prince of Wales (left) and David Beckham on one of the new helicopters which they signed during their visit
Both men appeared in great spirits as they shook hands with one another during the visit to RAF Northolt
David and William were both all smiles as they exchanged a conversation during today’s visit to RAF Northolt
David pictured being shown a medical kit bag by members of the Air Ambulance crew during the visit
A smiling William was shown around one of the new helicopters by members of the Air Ambulance crew
William appeared to be in good spirits as he examined the helicopter during today’s visit to RAF Northolt
Pictured: The Prince of Wales poses for a selfie with members of the Air Ambulance crew during the visit
The Prince of Wales was shown a medical kit bag by members of the Air Ambulance crew as he visited
The royal listened on as he heard about the work done by the Air Ambulance crew, during today’s visit
The Prince of Wales pictured speaking with Chief Pilot Captain Sam Tompkins (right) and members of the Air Ambulance crew
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
David spoke with Chief Pilot Captain Sam Tompkins (left) and members of the Air Ambulance crew
David was, much like William, also shown a medical kit bag by members of the Air Ambulance crew
David, pictured, also joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at Earthshot Awards in Boston last year
David also joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at Earthshot Awards in Boston last year.
He also inviting 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.’
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.’
Pictured: Prince William, Prince of Wales signs one of the new helicopters during a visit to RAF Northolt
William and David appeared to enjoy a warm chat as they both arrived for the visit to RAF Northolt
Both William and David looked delighted to sit in the helicopter as they examined the interior together
The pair enjoyed a chat as they sat in the cockpit together, during today’s morning visit to RAF Northolt
David laughed as he and William appeared to exchange jokes during their visit to RAF Northolt on Tuesday
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
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
Footballers first! Prince William followed David Beckham into the cockpit of a helicopter as thy visited the Air Ambulance Charity this morning
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.