Latest news with #King'sCommendationforValuableService
The South African
2 days ago
- General
- The South African
Prince William pledges action on soldiers' housing
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, donned his camouflage and blue beret for a hands-on visit to Wattisham flying station in Suffolk. The Prince rolled up his sleeves, served bacon and sausage baps, and listened closely to the Army Air Corps' biggest gripe: poor accommodation. The Prince, now Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, arrived in style, piloting a Wildcat Helicopter. After landing, he ducked into a camouflaged tent, simulating a mobile planning HQ. He got to grips with mission-planning tech under the watchful eye of Lance Corporal Sulabh Ale. But it was the soldiers' living conditions that stole the spotlight, according to BBC . 'I'm going to have a chat about accommodation, make sure they look at that,' William promised. He added with a grin, 'If they listen to me, that's another matter.' The Prince's easy humour broke the ice, but the issue was serious. When he asked another group about their housing, and was met with only smiles. He quipped, 'I'll take that away, a lot of smiles going on, that's all you need to say'. Staff Sergeant Megan Chasney, who's served at Wattisham for 15 years, said, 'It was fantastic to host the new Colonel-in-Chief. He said he would do his best to help improve the site's infrastructure.' She also highlighted the importance of the weekly Archer's Breakfast, not just for morale, but for remembering fallen comrades. 'It's really important to the soldiers here – some of them served with Daniel Pope on tours of Afghanistan. It's important to make sure he's not forgotten'. The Prince's visit wasn't all talk, as he handed out a King's Commendation for Valuable Service and promoted several soldiers from corporal to sergeant. He even joked with families about the challenges of military life, saying, 'Some of them might not want to see you that much – it's a mixed bag'. The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged the problem. 'For too long, many military families have lived in substandard homes. We are taking decisive action to fix the dire state of military accommodation and ensure that our heroes and their loved ones live in the homes they deserve.' They've pledged over £1.5 billion – that's about R35.4 billion – to tackle the issue. Decent housing for soldiers isn't just a British problem – it's a global one. As the Prince of Wales put it, 'I'm going to discuss accommodation, ensuring they take that into consideration.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Prince William makes 'family jibe' as he visits Prince Harry's former regiment
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Prince William showcased his lighter side during a visit to the Army Air Corp (AAC), his estranged brother Prince Harry's former regiment, where he jokingly quipped about not all families being keen on spending time together. The Prince of Wales, attired in military uniform, also vowed to address the accommodation concerns of AAC troops and their loved ones as he handed out breakfast treats. As part of his role as Colonel-in-Chief, William demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of AAC personnel and assured them that their accommodation issues would be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities. In a lighthearted moment, he teased a soldier about family time, remarking that "some of them might not want to see you that much – it's a mixed bag". READ MORE - The Hollywood child star still living off legendary film 50 years later READ MORE - Ryanair passengers including toddler injured as plane ploughs into 'supercell' William's visit to the AAC headquarters in Suffolk was marked by his arrival in a Wildcat Helicopter, an aircraft he's familiar with given his experience as a former RAF helicopter pilot and air ambulance flyer. During a break in an outdoor exercise session, he promised servicemen that he would raise their accommodation concerns, stating, "I'm going to have a chat about accommodation, make sure they look at that", though he also added that being heard was a different matter. The prince was met with nothing but smiles when he inquired about accommodation from a group, prompting him to remark: "I'll take that away, a lot of smiles going on, that's all you need to say." Later on, William stepped up as the server at the Archer's Breakfast, a 664 Squadron social gathering, dishing out bacon rolls and sausage baps and commenting on the tempting aroma, admitting it was "very good-smelling, making my mouth water", reports the Mirror. (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images) (Image: PA) (Image: Getty Images) A queue of servicemen and their kin swiftly formed as they waited for the food, with William jokingly lamenting "nothing worse than the smell of bacon in the room and you cannot eat it". During his visit outside the café, William engaged with the families of servicemen, including a conversation with the children of Warrant Officer Class 2 Matthew Foster, where eight year old Ida expressed her fondness for school and five year old Archie favoured playtime over lessons. The prince wrapped up his engagement by recognising the service of soldiers with a King's Commendation for Valuable Service and celebrated the promotion of a few soldiers from Corporal to Sergeant. Notably, the AAC, comprising units such as 664 Squadron, is an integral part of the British Army's combat aviation forces, employing cutting-edge aircraft like the Wildcat and Apache Attack helicopters in their mission to locate and neutralise enemy threats. In May 2024, Prince William took over as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps (AAC) from King Charles at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop. The King, who was the inaugural holder of the title 33 years prior, met with his eldest son in a rare joint official engagement to transfer the role last year. The AAC is Prince Harry's former unit, where he served as an Apache helicopter commander and co-pilot gunner during his second tour of Afghanistan in 2012. The decision by the King to pass the role to William was perceived as a slight to Harry when it was announced in 2023. Currently, neither the King nor William are in contact with Harry due to an ongoing Royal dispute.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
William jokes about family being 'mixed bag' on visit to Harry's old regiment
Prince William visited servicemen and women from the Army Air Corps in Suffolk arriving in a Wildcat Helicopter and flying himself back home in the aircraft after the visit Prince William joked about families not always wanting to see each other as he sported military uniform on a visit to estranged brother Prince Harry's old Army regiment. The Prince of Wales also promised he would raise the accommodation concerns of troops from the Army Air Corp (AAC) as he handed out bacon and sausage rolls to their families as he visited them today. William showed his interest in the welfare of the men and women of the regiment in his role as their Colonel-in-Chief and said the issue would be landing on a desk. He also lightened the mood when he joked, after asking one soldier if he spent enough time with his family "some of them might not want to see you that much – it's a mixed bag". Wearing camouflage military uniform and the AAC's iconic blue beret, William arrived at Wattisham flying station in Suffolk in a Wildcat Helicopter, a reconnaissance aircraft in the AAC's fleet. The prince is a former RAF helicopter search-and-rescue pilot who later spent two years flying air ambulances and he flew himself back home after the visit to the AAC's headquarters to meet military personnel and their families. During a break in a physical exercise outdoor session, he told a group of servicemen "I'm going to have a chat about accommodation, make sure they look at that", and went on to say "if they listen to me, that's another matter", and said the issue would be landing on a desk. When he asked another group about accommodation and only received smiles in response, the prince said: 'I'll take that away, a lot of smiles going on, that's all you need to say.' William later served bacon rolls and sausage baps in the Archer's Breakfast, a weekly social event held by 664 Squadron for its personnel and their families, and said the food was 'very good-smelling, making my mouth water'. A long line of servicemen and their families quickly formed and the prince quipped "nothing worse than the smell of bacon in the room and you cannot eat it". Outside the cafe, William chatted to servicemen and their families including the children of Warrant Officer Class 2 Matthew Foster, Ida, eight, and five-year-old Archie. Asked by William what they liked, Ida replied 'school' while her younger brother opted not for lessons but 'play'. He ended his visit by presenting a King's Commendation for Valuable Service and awarded a group of soldiers their promotion from Corporal to Sergeant. The AAC is the combat aviation arm of the British Army and is made up of several regiments and units including 664 Squadron, and uses Wildcat battlefield reconnaissance and Apache Attack helicopters to seek out and destroy enemy forces. William became the AAC's Colonel-in-Chief in May 2024 when the King officially handed over the role at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop. King Charles – who became the inaugural holder of the title 33 years ago – met with his eldest son in a rare joint official engagement to transfer the role last year. The Army Air Corps is Prince Harry's old unit, in which he served as an Apache helicopter commander and co-pilot gunner during his second tour to Afghanistan in 2012. The King's decision to hand the role to William was seen as a blow to Harry when it was announced in 2023. Neither the King nor William are in contact with Harry amid a long-running royal feud. Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the royals get back to their normal duties after a difficult year, the Mirror has launched its very own Royal WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the UK's most famous family. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
William in accommodation pledge as he dishes out bacon rolls to soldiers
William showed his interest in the welfare of the men and women from the Army Air Corps (AAC) in his role as their Colonel-in-Chief and said the issue would be landing on a desk. He lightened the mood when he joked, after asking one soldier if he spent enough time with his family 'some of them might not want to see you that much – it's a mixed bag'. The Prince of Wales (left) gets a briefing of overseas operations during a visit to Wattisham flying station (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) Wearing camouflage military uniform and the AAC's iconic blue beret, William arrived at Wattisham flying station in Suffolk in a Wildcat Helicopter, a reconnaissance aircraft in the AAC's fleet. The prince is a former RAF helicopter search-and-rescue pilot who later spent two years flying air ambulances and he flew himself back home after the visit to the AAC's headquarters to meet military personnel and their families. During a break in a physical exercise outdoor session, he told a group of servicemen 'I'm going to have a chat about accommodation, make sure they look at that', and went on to say 'if they listen to me, that's another matter', and said the issue would be landing on a desk. When he asked another group about accommodation and only received smiles in response, the prince said: 'I'll take that away, a lot of smiles going on, that's all you need to say.' William speaks to Archie Foster and his sister Ida (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) William later served bacon rolls and sausage baps in the Archer's Breakfast, a weekly social event held by 664 Squadron for its personnel and their families, and said the food was 'very good-smelling, making my mouth water'. A long line of servicemen and their families quickly formed and the prince quipped 'nothing worse then the smell of bacon in the room and you cannot eat it'. Outside the cafe, William chatted to servicemen and their families including the children of Warrant Officer Class 2 Matthew Foster, Ida, eight, and five-year-old Archie. Asked by William what they liked, Ida replied 'school' while her younger brother opted not for lessons but 'play'. William flew himself home after the visit (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) The AAC is the combat aviation arm of the British Army and is made up of several regiments and units including 664 Squadron, and uses Wildcat battlefield reconnaissance and Apache Attack helicopters to seek out and destroy enemy forces. When William first arrived he entered a camouflaged covered tent, a mock-up of a mobile planning headquarters used when AAC regiments are on deployment, and got to grips with a laptop used to plan missions under the watchful eye of Lance Corporal Sulabh Ale. He ended his visit by presenting a King's Commendation for Valuable Service and award a group of soldiers their promotion from Corporal to Sergeant.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
William in accommodation pledge as he dishes out bacon rolls to soldiers
William showed his interest in the welfare of the men and women from the Army Air Corps (AAC) in his role as their Colonel-in-Chief and said the issue would be landing on a desk. He lightened the mood when he joked, after asking one soldier if he spent enough time with his family 'some of them might not want to see you that much – it's a mixed bag'. Wearing camouflage military uniform and the AAC's iconic blue beret, William arrived at Wattisham flying station in Suffolk in a Wildcat Helicopter, a reconnaissance aircraft in the AAC's fleet. The prince is a former RAF helicopter search-and-rescue pilot who later spent two years flying air ambulances and he flew himself back home after the visit to the AAC's headquarters to meet military personnel and their families. During a break in a physical exercise outdoor session, he told a group of servicemen 'I'm going to have a chat about accommodation, make sure they look at that', and went on to say 'if they listen to me, that's another matter', and said the issue would be landing on a desk. When he asked another group about accommodation and only received smiles in response, the prince said: 'I'll take that away, a lot of smiles going on, that's all you need to say.' William later served bacon rolls and sausage baps in the Archer's Breakfast, a weekly social event held by 664 Squadron for its personnel and their families, and said the food was 'very good-smelling, making my mouth water'. A long line of servicemen and their families quickly formed and the prince quipped 'nothing worse then the smell of bacon in the room and you cannot eat it'. Outside the cafe, William chatted to servicemen and their families including the children of Warrant Officer Class 2 Matthew Foster, Ida, eight, and five-year-old Archie. Asked by William what they liked, Ida replied 'school' while her younger brother opted not for lessons but 'play'. The AAC is the combat aviation arm of the British Army and is made up of several regiments and units including 664 Squadron, and uses Wildcat battlefield reconnaissance and Apache Attack helicopters to seek out and destroy enemy forces. When William first arrived he entered a camouflaged covered tent, a mock-up of a mobile planning headquarters used when AAC regiments are on deployment, and got to grips with a laptop used to plan missions under the watchful eye of Lance Corporal Sulabh Ale. He ended his visit by presenting a King's Commendation for Valuable Service and award a group of soldiers their promotion from Corporal to Sergeant.
