PRINCE William was in his element today when he jumped into the pilot’s seat of a helicopter and took off into the gray sky.
The heir, 41, was appointed colonel of his brother’s helicopter unit by King Charles this afternoon – but both royals failed to mention Prince Harry.
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Prince William took control of an Apache helicopter todayCredit: PA
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It came after King Charles and his son shared a sweet moment together during the symbolic passing of the batonCredit: PA
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Wills was officially handed the role of Air Force Commander by the monarch Credit: AP
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The king was all smiles when he arrived at the center in Middle Wallop. Credit: Reuters
Charles, 75, met William outside the Apache gunship in a rare joint appearance as he officially handed over the big role to his son.
The monarch was in fine form as he waved to the crowds who had gathered to welcome him at the Air Force Base in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.
His Majesty and William were then seen beaming as they shared a touching embrace in the symbolic handing over of the baton.
After stepping down from the role after 32 years, the king said he was “overwhelmed with sadness” but the unit would go “from strength to strength” with the Prince of Wales at the helm.
Then Wills donned his gear and jumped behind the Apache command.
He could be seen beaming as he sat in the pilot’s seat, before taking off on a training flight.
During the handover, the king described his “immense admiration” for the Army Air Corps’ operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Apache is what Harry flew on his second tour of Afghanistan until 2014.
Harry, who has been in the Army Air Corps (AAC) for more than three years, qualified as an Apache commander in 2012.
He then undertook a five-month operational tour in Afghanistan where he operated a helicopter until January 2013.
Charles jokes about being ‘released from the cage’ when Wills is seen after Harry returns
Lieutenant Colonel Tom de la Rue, who commanded Harry in the Army Air Corps, previously said the royal was “a real inspiration to many officers and soldiers in the Army Air Corps”.
The King also shared an emotional conversation about chemotherapy with British Army veteran Aaron Mapplebeck.
They discussed the common side effect of “loss of taste.”
Since the cancer treatment is still ongoing, the king is gradually returning to public engagements. It is now known what treatment the King received.
The King said in today’s speech: “I just wanted to say what a great joy it is to be with you, even for a short time, on this occasion.
“But also, it turns with great sadness after 32 years of knowing all of you and admiring all of your many activities and your accomplishments during the time that I was fortunate enough to be Colonel-in-Chief of the Army.
“I hope you grow stronger in the future with the Prince of Wales as your new Colonel-in-Chief.
“The great thing is that he’s a really good pilot, so that’s encouraging.
“So take care of yourself and I can’t tell you how proud I am to have been associated with you all this time. Thank you.”
In addition to officially handing this Army Air Corps title to the next generation, the king met with veterans and families and saw exhibits at the Army Flying Museum.
Charles unveiled a plaque commemorating the Apache helicopter that will be on display at the museum.
But it comes after the king said he was “too busy” to see his youngest son when he visited the UK last week.
Harry, 39, was desperate to see his father after flying in from California, but his spokesman said: “Unfortunately that will not be possible due to His Majesty’s busy schedule.”
Arriving at the Air Force Base, the king took an impromptu walk to greet some students from Wallop High School, who had gathered waving Union flags.
Inside, he talked to veterans, soldiers and their families.
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William took off in a helicopter after being appointed head of the Army Air CorpsCredit: The SUn
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Charles talks to staff and veterans at the Air Force Center Credit: i-Images
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King Charles III hands over the role of Air Force Commander to Prince WilliamCredit: Rex
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King Charles greets his eldest son Prince William at the handover of his roleCredit: Splash
One veteran, Aaron Mappleback, told the king he underwent nine weeks of intensive chemotherapy for testicular cancer last February and is now nearly a year post-treatment.
The King also unveiled a plaque commemorating the arrival of the first Apache AH Mk.1 to be installed at the British Museum where he gave a short speech
The Apache, which is now at the Army Flight Museum, was one of two that carried troops on its wings in the 2007 Battle of Fort Jugroom in Afghanistan.
The Duke of Sussex qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot in 2013 after three years of training.
While on a five-month tour in Afghanistan, he served as a gunner co-pilot – sharing flight duties and taking control of the two-man Apache’s weapons.
William – who was prevented from active service because he was in the direct line of succession – served in the Royal Navy saving lives as a search and rescue pilot and also for East Anglia.
After taking over as the new colonel, the Prince of Wales took an Apache, identical to the one Harry piloted in Afghanistan, on a capability flight.
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The move is seen as a major snub to Prince Harry who was once in the Air Force Credit: AFP
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Charles and William were spotted beaming at a public engagementCredit: PA
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Prince Harry in an Apache helicopter in 2012 in Afghanistan Credit: Getty
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King Charles arrives to install Prince William as Air Force Commander Credit: AFP
A few hours later, in another speech, the king revealed that his eldest son William would take over the honor today.
Harry flew in for events marking ten years of his Invictus Games, as the king greeted the Fijian prime minister at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of Sussex stayed at the hotel when he returned to his homeland.
Harry traveled from his Montecito villa for a whirlwind three-day visit to the glittering event at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.
He was only three miles away from his father, who was hosting a famous garden party at Buckingham Palace that same evening.
The king even decided to hold a private meeting with former England star David Beckham on Friday May 10 after snubbing wayward son Harry.
Becks, 49, got close to Charles at his country home in Highgrove, Glos., to find out more about his charity, the King’s Foundation, a source close to the monarch confirmed last night.
Harry ‘distressed’ by ‘rebuke’ of handover
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun:
There is absolutely no doubt [a snub towards Harry].
I think this will bother Harry.
It’s obviously something he takes very personally, we know what he’s done for the military family, for the Invictus Games, which is a wonderful thing, and of course this was a big part of their visit, which was private to Nigeria.
But the fact is that the king appoints someone he trusts as colonel-in-chief.
I mean, this can be generously described as a mess, but it’s a serious problem, because it tends to show that communication has completely failed, and that’s a generous interpretation of it.
Honestly, I can see why the Sussexes weren’t trusted.
The Sun exclusively revealed last October that the soccer ace had accepted an invitation to hold talks with the King to explore ways they could work together for the charity, which provides youth skills training.
Becks, known as Goldenballs, distanced himself from Prince Harry following his public attacks on the royal family after previously serving as an ambassador for the Invictus Games.
Despite the family drama, Prince Harry was seen beaming next to Meghan on their three-day trip to Nigeria.
It remains to be seen when Harry will visit his brother William again after their relationship has become increasingly strained over the years.
Harry stepped out of the royal family four years ago and has since made a series of shocking allegations about William.
Their relationship only worsened after the Sussexes made numerous accusations against the royal family in their Netflix docu-series.
Harry and William were last seen together at the coronation of King Charles last May, but they were seated separately and the Duke made a quick getaway.
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The monarch visiting the military aviation center in Middle Wallop Credit: AP
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Father and son share heartwarming moment on royal outing Credit: James Whatling
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Wills makes final preparations to board a military helicopterCredit: Reuters
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Prince Harry in AAC beret in 2010. Credit: Getty
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William next to the helicopter during a previous visit to Middle Wallop Credit: @KensingtonRoyal
Military experience of Prince Harry and Prince William
Harry served in the British Army for ten years where he rose to the rank of captain.
He did two tours in Afghanistan including a two-month stay in Helmand.
The Duke of Sussex was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with The Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) on 13 April 2008.
Harry later qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot in 2013 after three years of training with the Army Air Corps.
While on a five-month tour in Afghanistan, he served as a gunner co-pilot sharing flight duties and taking control of the weapons of a two-man Apache.
William served seven years in the military, with more than three years as a search and rescue pilot.
He left the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2013 as a rescue pilot to focus on charity.
After leaving operational duties in the armed forces, Prince William retrained as an air ambulance pilot.
William worked for the East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2015.
But in January 2017, Kensington Palace announced that he would end his job with his final shift on July 15.
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