Smile from William is not Mission Impossible
Heir to the throne Prince William has thanked people from across the world for the “kind messages of support” for both his father King Charles and wife Catherine as he returned to public duty for the first time.
And he had the perfect wingman to do it with a surprise appearance of Hollywood great and fellow pilot Tom Cruise in support and entering the hotel Raffles in London by his side.
Speaking publicly for the first time in four weeks since the king was diagnosed with cancer and his wife was bedridden after serious abdominal surgery, the Prince of Wales said the support meant a lot to the family.
“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,” he said, later adding the outpouring was truly appreciated.
The prince was attending a fundraising gala dinner for the London Air Ambulance and even managed a quip to front into the serious health battles, to the delight of the black tie and gowned audience.
“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!” he joked.
Those in attendance said the prince looked comfortable and relaxed and even shared a joke with Cruise, an avid royal supporter who once landed a helicopter on the lawns of Windsor Castle after being invited to tea with the late Queen.
The pair posed for photographs and the prince publicly acknowledged the star’s appearance at the gala in support of the charity’s largestever fundraising campaign.
Prince William, who served as a rescue pilot saving lives for seven years, is helping a £15m ($29m) fundraising effort to buy new choppers for the London Air Ambulance.
During his speech, he spoke of the vital work being done by air ambulance teams.
He said: “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 lifesaving 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 royal then thanked Alister Cruise, who famously flies his own planes and helicopters, for his support.
“I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my, our, fellow pilot, Tom Cruise,” Prince William said.
“Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight.
“And Tom, 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.”
Prince William’s address came just hours after his brother Prince Harry flew out of London after a whirlwind 25-hour round trip from his home to California to visit his father after it was revealed he had an undisclosed form of cancer.
The king spent 30 minutes with his estranged son and despite speculation there might have been a second visit as well as a catch up with William, Harry left the country.
Of note Harry is not believed to have had police or close personal protection as he had previously demanded with a cut off from any Statepaid for security detail a point of contention for the nonworking self-exiled royal.
He also did not stay in any royal lodging during his quick trip to see dad, having been forced to give up the keys to his former Frogmore Cottage home last June after he quit the family and moved to America. He stayed in a hotel for the one night stand in London.
Harry has previously claimed he was forced to flee the UK, accusing the Home Office of “unlawful and unfair treatment” by denying him “the right” to paid for security.
Meanwhile, it is understood weekly audiences between King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are expected to resume in person in two weeks.
Downing Street and Buckingham Palace took the unusual step of confirming details of a call between the two on Wednesday, in an attempt to show the King was carrying on with his duties.
The Prime Minister wished the King, resting in his Sandringham country estate, well in the brief phone conversation before formal face-toface audiences are set to start again on February 21.
The King holds a private weekly audience with the prime minister to discuss government matters and though he is meant to remain politically neutral on all matters, he is able to “advise and warn” his ministers – including Mr Sunak – when necessary.