Prince William thanks well-wishers for supporting King and Kate at charity do where he was joined by Tom Cruise
PRINCE William has hailed the “kind messages” received by the Princess of Wales and King amid their health scares and said “it means a great deal to us all”.
Wills, 41, has returned to front-line duty three weeks after Kate, 42, had abdominal surgery.
Speaking at a fundraising charity gala for the London Air Ambulance he became the first royal to open up about the impact the double health dramas have had on the family.
And he gave an appreciative nod to Top Gun star Tom Cruise, 61, who was a surprise guest in the audience at the star-studded bash at Raffles Hotel, in Whitehall.
The King, 75, is resting at Sandringham following cancer treatment and the Princess of Wales will be recuperating at Windsor and not expected back until April.
Wills, who hours earlier held his first job since Kate’s hospital dash by handing out gongs out at Windsor Castle, told guests: “Thank you for being here. And thank you to all those whose hard work has made this evening possible.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days.”
“It means a great deal to us all.
Then in a light-hearted joke amid the stressful past three weeks, told guests: “It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather “medical” focus.
“So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all.”
I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father
Prince William
William, who served as a rescue pilot saving lives for seven years, is helping a £15m fundraising effort to buy new choppers for the London Air Ambulance.
He added: “But, seriously, we gather tonight to help as many people as possible benefit from top class care in the silhouette of London Air Ambulance’s flying lifelines.
“As a former pilot for East Anglia Air Ambulance, I know just how vital the work of air ambulance teams across the country is, and the truly life-saving difference it can make to deliver urgent medical care wherever injury strikes can make.
“Here in London, the current aircraft have served magnificently. But our capital city needs a new fleet. And we are Up Against Time.
“The clue really is in the Appeal’s name. By September, we need the two new red birds – decked with the latest kit such as night vision – in our skies.”
HARRY SNUB
William did not meet his warring sibling Harry when he spent 24 hours in the UK before jetting back yesterday.
The prince, who cancelled engagements to care for Kate, preferred to show support for his wife instead.
William added: “I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my – our – fellow pilot, Tom Cruise.
“Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight. And if you wouldn’t mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the next Mission Impossible, it would be appreciated.
“We have all seen on our screens that – how can I put it – you seem to have a different take on ‘normal wear and tear’ to the rest of us.
“It’s not the kind that buffs out, that’s for sure. Anyway, my thanks to everyone. You are all, each and everyone, lifesavers.”
Wills, 40, returned to front-line work three weeks after the Princess Wales had abdominal surgery.
Earlier he donned his RAF uniform to hand out gongs at an investiture held at Windsor Castle.
Winners included Lioness Ellen White, 34, who was handed an MBE for services to football.
The Euro 2022 winner have her “best wishes” the prince sending get well message to the King.
Speaking afterwards the footy ace said: “He really appreciated it, it was something that I obviously wanted to send my best wishes.
“He has been an incredible supporter of women’s football for so many years, since I’ve been a part of England, and playing football.
“It was amazing to receive it from him and obviously to have a bit of chat about football, which definitely put me at ease and made me feel more relaxed so that was really nice.”
It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather ‘medical’ focus
Prince William
He came face-to-face with surprise special guest Tom Cruise who had specially asked to attend the London Air Ambulance charity gala last night.
It comes just weeks after his warring sibling Prince Harry won a Legends of Aviation gong in Hollywood.
Cruise, is a qualified pilot since 1994 who was filmed flying and saying ‘ “Pilot to pilot. Your Majesty, you can be my wingman any time” for the King’s Coronation party.
The action star attended Princess Diana‘s funeral at Westminster Abbey in London, with his then-wife Nicole Kidman.
He spent time with Prince Philip in March 2017 for the 75th anniversary of the Outward Bound Trust at Buckingham Palace.
Fans were stunned when he made a surprise appearance on the microphone in May 2022 at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at Windsor Horse Show.
And famously, stole the Coronation party a year later appearing in his Top Gun Warbird plane delivering a message to the King.
WILLS’ BOND WITH TOM
The Hollywood megastar also hosted Kate and Wills at the London premiere of Top Gun: Maverick two years ago.
Speaking about Wills on the red carpet, Cruise said: “We have a lot in common. We both love England and we’re both aviators, we both love flying.”
Prince William started training as a RAF helicopter pilot in 2009.
He was stationed in Anglesey, Wales, as a RAF search and rescue pilot for three years.
During that time he flew on 156 searches which rescued 149 people.
He flew as an East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) between March 2015 and July 2017.
Wills has regularly spoken about the “trauma” of serving on the front-line in the air ambulance.
He became patron of London’s Air Ambulance Charity in March 2020 after supporting their 30th Anniversary Campaign.
The King revealed his cancer diagnosis on Monday but was described as “wholly positive”.
He has begun treatment and yesterday flew to Sandringham where he will rest and recuperate.
Despite being off front-line duties while he receives cancer care as an out-patient he was set to hold his weekly audience with PM Rishi Sunak last night by telephone.
Prince William is expected to fill in for his father at some events in coming weeks.
Last month Harry, 39, was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation which honors “those who have made significant contributions to aviation/aerospace”.
HOLLYWOOD BASH
The Hollywood bash was hosted by John Travolta.
Harry could not resist having a pop at the Grease star, who once danced with Princess Diana at The White House.
Inspecting his medal, Harry said: “This is nice. Thanks very much, Captain John.
“I was one-year-old when you danced with my mum. As you’ve told everybody here and continue to dine out on that probably every single night.
“But look at us now! It’s great. So if we’re not going to dance together, we’ll fly together.”
Tonight’s Gala Dinner was held in support of the charity’s largest ever fundraising campaign, ‘Up Against Time’.
The fundraising push aims to raise £15 million by Autumn this year to replace the charity’s helicopter fleet.
Inside Charles' 18-month reign before cancer shock
September 8 2022 – The world was left in mourning after Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022.
September 19 2022 – The stoic King led his family, marching behind the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, at her funeral.
January 2023 – The Monarch deals with the fall out following Prince Harry’s bombshell memoir Spare – in which the Duke blasted the Royal Family.
April 2023 – Harry has a “heart-to-heart” talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
May 6 2023 – Charles is crowned King at his Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
September 2023 – Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
November 2023 – The King celebrates his 75th birthday with a gathering of close family and friends at Clarence House.
January 17 2024 – Buckingham Palace announces His Majesty will be undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Just hours previous it was also revealed Princess Kate had been admitted to hospital for a pre-planned abdominal surgery.
January 26 2024 – The King is admitted to The London Clinic – where Princess Kate was also staying.
January 29 2024 – Charles waves as he leaves the hospital following a three day stay and being given the all clear.
It is understood the Monarch will take a month to recover after the surgery as Queen Camilla stands in during public appearances.
February 5 2024 – Buckingham Palace announces a form of cancer was diagnosed during the King’s prostate op.
The statement confirms Charles has begun a schedule of regular treatments and “remains wholly positive”.
He will also be postponing front line duties on doctor’s advice but continue with his red boxes, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and monthly Privy Council meetings.
February 6 2024 – Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside.
The Duke of Sussex, who was informed of the news personally by the Monarch, was seen arriving into a private terminal at LAX in his black Range Rover.