Prince William shows wingman David Beckham ropes as they check out £8million helicopter -Video

Prince William was joined by a surprise guest as he insepcted a brand new air ambulance helicopter – just hours after his estranged brother Prince Harry made a rare UK appearance.

The Prince of Wales is patron of the London Air Ambulance charity which launched its Up Against Time appeal to fund two new helicopters for its service. And he was joined by David Beckham to view the new H135 helicopters, which were bought after the fundraising appeal raised an incredible £16 million. Four million of that was raised by the Omaze campaign for the appeal, which was backed by Beckham.

The Prince of Wales, who is Patron of London’s Air Ambulance Charity, personally asked the football legend to be the public face of the house draw and he was invited today to thank him for his support of the charity. Beckham said: “We’re here today to celebrate … the success of the fundraiser for London’s air ambulances which is something close to my heart and has been for a number of years. I’m an East End boy so every time we saw them in the air it made us very proud. As soon as I was asked to be involved by Prince William it was something I was very honoured (to do) in all honesty.”

The pair greeted each other like old friends before hopping inside one of H135 helicopters, and William, 42, couldn’t resist sitting in the pilot’s seat. The prince worked as an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance between March 2015 and July 2017 and spoke fondly of those years with the pilots and medical crew in attendance.

Football fan William appeared to share a joke with the former professional inside the cockpit, as they both wore similar ensembles, dark suits with open-collar shirts. Both men signed each of the aircraft, with Willam writing “back in the middle!” on one and Beckham writing “Thank you! Fly safe, love David Beckham”, signed off with a kiss and the number 7 – his former shirt number.

They then viewed different parts of the visit concurrently, with William heading to meet the medical crew and get a closer look at the aircraft while Beckham chatted to three of the pilots. They then swapped, and when the prince chatted to the pilots, he turned to point at one of the decommissioned helicopters and said: “I can’t believe they’re 20 years old.”

Pilot Pete Driver responded and said he didn’t expect to get so emotional during this last flight in the aircraft, adding: “They have been fantastic.” Speaking with the Airbus engineers who were involved in the creation and development of the new helicopters, William said: “I can’t believe it’s materialised, this is it!” The two new helicopters will be used operationally from today.

Before heading for a private reception with some of the charity’s executives and donors, William spoke to two patients who the London Air Ambulance Charity had treated. The prince heard how Matt Smith, 60, wouldn’t have been here today if it wasn’t for the rapid response of one of the helicopters.