At RAF Benson, the Prince of Wales and Jordan’s Crown Prince reflect on shared flying experiences and enduring ties with the Armed Forces…reports Asian Lite News
Prince William has said he misses the “glory days” of being a search-and-rescue pilot, as he reunited with his “dear friend” and fellow helicopter pilot, the Crown Prince of Jordan, Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, during a joint engagement at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire on Wednesday.
The Prince of Wales, who served with the Royal Air Force from 2009 to 2013 before flying with the East Anglian Air Ambulance from March 2015 until July 2017, spoke with clear fondness about his military years and his enduring passion for flying.
“I left and went straight into the Air Ambulance afterwards and did three years or so there and… it sort of merged into one big flying trip. I miss the search and rescue days, the glory days,” he said, recalling his time in uniform with nostalgia.
The 43-year-old prince, who continues to fly privately, said piloting an aircraft remains his “happy place”. Reflecting on how the skill stays with him, he added: “I do still fly – I keep my hours going because, when you learn that skill set, you just don’t want it to go. I’ve definitely lost a lot of the skills I had, but I like to just keep on top of flying and keep doing it. It’s my happy place when I’m flying.”
Prince William, who trained and served with No. 22 Squadron at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales, also described the emotion he felt during a recent flypast when he heard the distinctive sound of a Sea King helicopter — the aircraft type he once piloted during his time in the RAF.
He said: “Seven aircraft were flying over and Sea King comes in and I was like ‘there she is’ – that noise went straight to my heart, it was a great sound.”
The prince’s visit to RAF Benson — where he was joined by the Crown Prince of Jordan — was marked by a shared spirit of camaraderie and respect for aviation. The two heirs, both qualified helicopter pilots, arrived by helicopter from Windsor Castle, underscoring what Kensington Palace described as their “strong relationship” and “mutual respect for the Armed Forces”.
During the visit, the princes met trainee aircrew and staff from No. 28 (AC) Squadron and No. 22 Squadron, the latter being a unit with which Prince William served during his operational posting in North Wales. The pair also spent time with engineers, joining them as they worked on the main rotorhead of a Chinook aircraft.
Displaying his characteristic sense of humour, Prince William joked that someone would soon “check” the Crown Prince’s work as the two got hands-on with maintenance duties.
After touring the base and meeting personnel, the princes held a private meeting with RAF staff, continuing discussions about their shared interests in aviation, training, and the role of the armed services in fostering international cooperation.
The engagement offered a rare glimpse of Prince William reflecting on his years in uniform — a period he has often described as formative. His work as a search-and-rescue pilot at RAF Valley saw him participate in dozens of life-saving missions over the rugged Welsh coast and mountains, experiences that he has previously said shaped his sense of duty and public service.
After leaving the RAF, the prince went on to serve as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, combining flying with emergency response work. His time there brought him face-to-face with trauma and crisis on a daily basis, an experience he later described as both rewarding and emotionally demanding.
While his royal responsibilities have since expanded significantly, including his role as Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, William has often spoken of how his years in aviation provided grounding, discipline, and perspective — traits that continue to inform his approach to leadership and public service.
His comments at RAF Benson, delivered alongside a close royal ally from Jordan, also underscored the continuing links between the British and Jordanian armed forces. Both men trained as helicopter pilots and share a keen interest in aviation technology, flight safety, and air rescue operations.
As they greeted RAF personnel and posed for photographs near the hangar, the atmosphere was relaxed and informal. The visit reflected both princes’ appreciation for the skill and dedication of military aviators and the technical teams that support them.
For Prince William, it was also a chance to revisit a defining chapter of his life — one marked by long hours, challenging missions, and a deep sense of purpose. His evident affection for those “glory days” of search and rescue suggested that, while his royal duties have taken him far from the cockpit, his heart remains firmly attached to the skies.
