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As Prince William steps up his royal responsibilities in the absence of King Charles III and Princess Catherine, who have faced separate medical issues in recent weeks, he is making sure to keep his loved ones in his thoughts.
Tonight, the Prince of Wales attended a dinner for the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala, a cause with which he has a special connection, having worked as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance service from March 2015 to July 2017.
In a speech at the event, William paid tribute to the king, whose cancer diagnosis was announced earlier this week, and his wife, who is recovering from abdominal surgery.
“I would like to take this opportunity to also thank Catherine and my father for the kind messages of support, especially in recent days. It means a lot to all of us,” William began. And he added jokingly: “It’s fair to say the last few weeks have had a rather ‘medical’ focus. So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance show to get away from it all!
Charles’ cancer was identified during a recent procedure he underwent to treat a benign enlarged prostate. Bazaar understands that it is not prostate cancer, although Buckingham Palace has so far refrained from specifying the monarch’s diagnosis.
As for the Princess of Wales, Kate returned to her home in Windsor, following abdominal surgery scheduled for January 16. “The Princess is in good spirits,” said a royal source. Bazaar when she was discharged from the hospital. She is not expected to return to royal duties until after March.
Elsewhere in the speech, William paid tribute to another famous face among the guests: Tom Cruise.
“Tom, if you don’t mind not borrowing any of the new helicopters for the next Mission Impossible“I would appreciate it,” the prince joked. “We’ve all seen on our screens that, how shall I put it, it seems like you have a different view of ‘normal wear and tear’ than the rest of us. It’s not the type that gets better.”
Read William’s full speech below.
Good afternoon everyone. Thank you all for being here. And thanks to those whose hard work has made this evening possible.
I would like to take this opportunity to also thank Catherine and my father for their kind messages of support, especially in recent days. It means a lot to all of us.
It is fair to say that the last few weeks have had a rather “medical” focus. So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance show to get away from it all!
But seriously, we’re coming together tonight to help as many people as possible benefit from first-class care in the silhouette of London Air Ambulance’s flying lifelines.
As a former East Anglian Air Ambulance pilot, I know how vital the work of air ambulance teams across the country is and the real difference it can make to saving lives by providing urgent medical care wherever an injury occurs.
Here in London, the current planes have performed magnificently. But our capital needs a new fleet. And we are against time. The clue really is in the name of the appeal. By September, we need the two new red birds, equipped with the latest equipment, such as night vision, in our skies.
You wouldn’t be here if you needed much persuasion, I know. But wait later to hear Milana’s story about how the air ambulance and its incredible teams have given her a second chance at life.
I must also take this opportunity to mention my fellow pilot, Tom Cruise. Tom, thank you very much for supporting us tonight.
And Tom, if you don’t mind not borrowing any of the new helicopters for next Mission Impossible, It will be appreciated. We’ve all seen on our screens that, how can I say this, it seems like you have a different view of “normal wear and tear” than the rest of us. It’s not the type that gets better.
Anyway, thank you all so much for being here tonight and for supporting such a wonderful cause.
You are all, each and every one of you, saviors of lives.
As Associate Editor of HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey stays on top of all the celebrity news. She also writes about social movements and connects with activists leading the fight for workers’ rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or shopping for another corset.