Prince William is given a Prince of Wales mug at his old RAF base in Anglesey - to replace cheeky Big Willy one he used to drink out of when he worked there
Prince William returned to his old RAF base today and found he had been promoted in more ways than one.
When he was working as a Search and Rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey between 2010 and 2013, the heir to the throne used to drink his tea on base out of a jokey mug captioned ‘Big Willy’.
On this week’s visit the future king was handed a steaming brew in a mug with the name ‘Prince of Wales’ emblazoned on it.
Describing the visit as ‘a bit of nostalgia’, William, 42, looked right at home as he toured the familiar airbase and met personnel from across the unit to hear more about their work and day-to-day life.
The prince became Royal Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Valley last August after taking over the role from the King.
During today's visit, Prince William drank from his own personal mug reading 'HRH Prince of Wales'
Prince William making a cup of tea whilst working as a helicopter search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales, in 2012, pictured left. Pictured right, his mug with his cheeky nickname at the time
On this week’s visit the future king was handed a steaming brew in a mug with the name ‘Prince of Wales’ emblazoned on it
William walked into the crew room clutching a steaming cup of tea in his new mug, where he joined engineers, Qualified Flying Instructors, and trainees - including his former flying instructor Captain Brian Wills.
After spotting him, William said warmly: ‘I thought you might be here today, you hang around like a bad smell!’
The pair then had a warm chat, where the Captain thanked William for sending him a bottle of whisky and a card to mark his 50th birthday in 2022. ‘Not at all,’ the prince said.
Captain Wills said it was good to see William again, noting that the last time the pair saw one another was in 2009. He said: ‘It was very nice to catch up.’
Arriving to heavy rain and grey skies, William was greeted by Group Captain Jez Currie and headed straight inside the Air Traffic Control Tower.
After his umbrella blew inside out he joked: ‘It wouldn’t feel like home if I wasn’t back here on a day like this.’
Heading into the warm and dry, William entered the approach room where he took a keen interest in the new surveillance equipment before heading up to the visual control room.
Noticing that the weather had markedly improved, the prince said: ‘Look the weather is perfect now, what's happened?’
He was clearly getting into his storytelling as he spoke to RAF personnel and showed off his playful nature
Britain's Prince William holds his personal coffee mug during an official visit at RAF Valley
Prince William, Prince of Wales talks to RAF personnel during an official visit at RAF Valley
The Prince of Wales was all smiles as he arrived at for a visit to the RAF Valley airbase in Anglesey - for the first time since taking on the role of Royal Honorary Air Commodore from King Charles III
William took part in a simulated fire response exercise, including taking a trip in a fire engine
William, 42, beamed despite the glum weather as he sheltered himself with an umbrella. The royal donned a navy suit, teamed with a white button-down and a red and black tie, for the occasion
The royal was spotted laughing as he talked to base personnel after the fire response exercise
He then took a minute to marvel at the views surrounding the tower, pointing to the Llyn Peninsula, and told the crew it was ‘a bit of nostalgia for me’.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who continues to undergo cancer treatment, lived in Anglesey while William worked at the base.
He then headed back outside to visit the base’s Fire and Rescue Section, where the prince joined a simulated fire response exercise.
He jumped in a fire engine and headed to a plane engulfed in flames, where William was tasked with extinguishing the blaze.
Sitting in the passenger seat he operated a water pump, expertly manoeuvring the equipment to put out the fire in just over 60 seconds.
When he later spoke with crew members he joked he had been ‘trying to get the media with the hose’ but the crew with him were very well-behaved’.
Hearing more about the work of the Fire and Rescue section, which provides year-round airfield rescue firefighting and structural firefighting cover for RAF Valley, William quipped: ‘I bet you guys are good in the gym as well.’
He was met with hearty laughs as the prince imitated a bicep curl and added: ‘Fire crew are some of the fittest on station.’
Despite the glum weather, the prince was his usual cheery self as he visited the area, which holds a lot of personal memories from his time living nearby
The Prince of Wales, Royal Honorary Air Commodore, RAF Valley, talks to base personnel inside the Air Traffic Control Tower
William looked to be having a great time from the passenger seat of the vehicle
It was the prince's first visit to the airbase since taking on the role from King Charles
The Prince of Wales, Royal Honorary Air Commodore, RAF Valley, takes part in a simulated fire response exercise
After taking a quick break for some lunch, William presented the Prince of Wales award for the best-qualified flying instructor to Flight Lieutenant Jake Fleming and met the response team from the RAF Mountain Rescue Service (MRS).
Families had gathered outside to wave him off, with the prince taking the time to personally greet them.
Bending down to speak to the children clutching Welsh flags, he asked them their names and when one girl said her name was Charlotte he replied: ‘I know one of those!’
He was also presented with a commemorative picture of RAF Valley.
The Prince belonged to the RAF's 202 Squadron with colleagues regarding him as an outstanding pilot and as 'one of the family'.
In February 2011, William and his wife Kate visited Anglesey - where the now-Princess of Wales carried out her first royal engagement ahead of her wedding to Prince William two months later.
At the time, the couple were living in Anglesey, where William was working as an air sea rescue pilot for the RAF.
Kate beamed as she christened the new Hereford Endeavour lifeboat with a bottle of champagne while her husband-to-be lovingly watched on.
The royal became the Royal Honorary Air Commodore at RAF Valley in Wales after a reshuffle of the Royal Family 's military appointments by King Charles last year
Prince of Wales presents the 'The Prince of Wales Award' to Flight Lieutenant Jake Flemingto
During today's visit, William was also pictured talking to base personnel inside the Air Traffic Control Tower, appearing deeply impressed as he watched them at work
William was deeply immersed as he took in the Air Traffic Control Tower during his visit to RAF Valley today
Prince William appeared in great spirits are he received a tour around the airbase in Anglesey
Recalling the event, RNLI volunteer Dafydd Griffiths told Town & Country magazine: 'They’re such friendly, down-to-earth people, lovely. I was quite surprised how down-to-earth they were to be honest, I think everyone will tell you that.'
Another local, Colin Edwards, had given Kate a framed picture of her husband-to-be, Prince William, as a child, to which she responded: 'Look at his knees!'
During the walkabout Kate was pictured in a Herringbone coat she had owned for at least five years, showing members of the public she was keen to recycle items of clothing - something the Princess of Wales has continued to do throughout her time making royal engagements.
It comes following a very exciting weekend for the Prince, who hugged England goal hero Bukayo Saka as he congratulated the Three Lions after their latest Euros win.
The Prince of Wales hailed Saturday's game against Switzerland 'nail-biting to the very end' and was snapped cheering with his fists in the air at Dusseldorf Arena after Saka scored the equaliser at the 80th minute.
Chants of 'England, England, England' echoed throughout the stadium during the thrilling moment.
After the game William, who is president of the FA, embraced the 22-year-old player in the tunnel.
Wearing a navy suit and a football print tie, William congratulated Saka after the Three Lions won against their opponents to penalties after finishing 1-1.
Prince William, Prince of Wales talks to members of the public during an official visit at RAF Valley
He spoke to schoolchildren, who had brought out their Welsh flags to greet him
The prince showed off his usual personable nature as he engaged with the children, who were delighted at his visit
Prince William, Prince of Wales talks to personnel of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service
William shook hands with base personnel as he made a visit to the Air Traffic Control Tower during an official visit at RAF Valley
Prince William, Prince of Wales gets an introduction to a RAF Short Tucano trainer aircraft
William looked intently inside the aircraft as he learned about the operations
He stood on the wing as he explored the RAF Short Tucano trainer aircraft
The royal opted for a red, black and white tie for the occasion as he made a visit to RAF Valley today
Prince William, Prince of Wales during an official visit at RAF Valley on July 09, 2024 in Holyhead, United Kingdom
The prince was delighted to meet a dog at RAF Valley, who hadn't expected to encounter royalty on her walk!
Britain's Prince William meets members of the public during an official visit at RAF Valley
Prince William departs RAF Valley after his official visit on Tuesday
The Arsenal player scored in the tense shoot-out which saw England earn a place in the semi-finals.
Saka had suffered terrible online racial abuse after missing a penalty against Italy in the last final at the 2020 Euros and was overjoyed at netting in the shoot out tonight.
A friend of Saka's was seen with her hands clasped as if in prayer as he stepped up to take his kick.
Saka tweeted: 'Last time we had a penalty shootout at the Euros, we know what happened.
'I used it to make me stronger. Today I took the chance. So I'm happy. I'm so proud of everyone that we got over the line.'
William watched the game from the stands with the likes of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti and former Portugal ace Luis Figo and later wrote a personally signed message to social media.
He posted: 'Nail biting to the very end. Well done @England! Semi-finals here we come! We believe. W.'
Known for his passion for sport, William was on the edge of his seat during some parts of the game and was even spotted with his head in his hands at one point.
In a more joyous moment, he smiled as he high-fived a woman who was sat next to him.
Prince William, who has been vocal in his support for the Three Lions throughout the tournament, joined supporters in the stands earlier in June as the team faced down Denmark in Frankfurt.
England's Euros journey will continue with a semi final against the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday night, with the Dutch also turning around a 1-0 deficit to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday night.
