Prince William has agreed to serve as patron of the Special Air Service Regimental Association. He praised the SAS as a symbol of courage and dedication to duty…reports Asian Lite News
The Prince of Wales has spoken of his “deep sense of honour and respect” after agreeing to become patron of the charity supporting Britain’s elite Special Air Service, marking a rare public association with one of the country’s most secretive military units.
Prince William, 43, confirmed his new role with the Special Air Service Regimental Association (SASRA) in a private newsletter circulated to members, in which the charity’s chairperson expressed “delight” at the appointment. The association supports both serving personnel and veterans of the SAS, as well as their families.
In his message, the Prince of Wales said he was proud to accept the invitation and underlined his long-standing admiration for the regiment. “It is with a deep sense of honour and respect that I accept your invitation to become patron of the Special Air Service Regimental Association,” he wrote.
“The SAS has long stood as a symbol of courage, resilience and unwavering dedication to duty and the service of this country,” William said. “The association continues that camaraderie forged on the battlefield and provides essential support to its members and families.”
The prince pledged to work closely with the charity and said he would help ensure that “the sacrifices and achievements of SAS members past and present are recognised”. His comments were warmly received within the SAS community, which traditionally maintains a low public profile.
The SAS Regimental Association is a registered charity that provides welfare support to current and former members of the regiment, whose famous motto, Who Dares Wins, has become synonymous with elite military service. The association, which has around 5,000 members, prides itself on a long-standing commitment to care for its community, stating that “no member or member’s widow is ever turned away if the problem is a genuine one”.
Prince William’s connection to the SAS stretches back to childhood. He recalled first visiting Stirling Lines, the headquarters of 22 SAS Regiment in Credenhill, Herefordshire, as a young boy, and later spending time with members of the unit during his early military career as a young officer. He has maintained contact with the SAS community over the years, a relationship that will now be formalised through his patronage.
In a seasonal message included in the newsletter, William also offered his best wishes to members and their families. “At this special time of year, I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year,” he said. “May the festive season bring comfort, joy and renewed strength to all within the SAS family.”
The appointment further reflects the prince’s deep ties to the armed forces. As a senior member of the royal family, William holds affiliations with a number of military regiments across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. He currently serves as Royal Colonel of the Welsh Guards, a role previously held by his father, King Charles III.
William completed more than seven years of full-time military service after undertaking officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was commissioned as a British Army officer in December 2006 and later undertook attachments with both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, gaining experience across all three services.
He ultimately chose to pursue an aviation career, training as a helicopter pilot and serving with the RAF’s search and rescue force. William finished his military career in 2013 as a search and rescue helicopter pilot based at RAF Valley in Anglesey, where he took part in numerous emergency operations.
While members of the royal family have long maintained close links with the armed forces, William’s patronage of the SAS charity is notable given the regiment’s discreet nature and limited public exposure. His role is expected to focus on advocacy and support for the welfare work carried out by the association, rather than any operational involvement.
The announcement has been welcomed as a mark of recognition for the sacrifices made by SAS personnel, both past and present, and their families. For the association, the prince’s patronage is seen as a significant endorsement of its mission to uphold the bonds of service and ensure that those who have served with the regiment are never left without support.
