Sweet moment Prince William reunites with East Anglian Air Ambulance colleague at the Royal Norfolk Show – and says he ‘misses’ the team
- Prince William is in Norfolk to enjoy the UK’s largest two-day agricultural event
- READ MORE: Gemma Collins invites King Charles and Queen Camilla on a safari
His ‘career path’ has mostly been mapped out since his birth – but the Prince of Wales still has fond memories of the job he chose.
Chatting at an agricultural show today with a doctor he worked with at East Anglia Air Ambulance, he admitted he still hankered after his time there. Told by Dr Neil Berry that staff missed him, William replied: ‘I miss you too.’
The prince, 41, was an air ambulance pilot for two years from 2015 to 2017, flying helicopter emergency medical service missions for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Dr Berry, 46, who has worked for the service for more than 10 years and flies every week, estimated he had been on between 10 and 50 flights with William.
Recognising Dr Berry at the Royal Norfolk Show, William joked ‘oh Lord!’, adding that there were ‘some familiar faces’. ‘I must say you’re better in your flight suit,’ said Dr Berry, to which the prince replied: ‘Thanks a lot… a bit more useful I think probably Neil, that’s why.’
Prince William got to catch up with an former colleague, air ambulance doctor Dr Neil Berry, who he worked with when he was a pilot in the East Anglian Air Ambulance
‘I said we miss you, it would be good to have you back,’ said Dr Berry, speaking afterwards his warm greeting with the prince. ‘He said “I miss you guys too, I hope everyone’s well”.
‘He would love to do stuff like that but he’s obviously got bigger roles that he needs to do. It’s great that he got the opportunity in the first place.’
Dr Berry, who also works as a consultant anaesthetist at Ipswich Hospital, added: ‘He was a brilliant guy and a brilliant pilot. We went on quite a few flights with patients.
‘He was also brilliant on the scene, helping us with patient care. I remember him pushing a guy through traffic on a trolley with us and he was doing most of the pushing.’
‘I was hoping he wouldn’t take the mickey out of me too much and I think I got off lightly,’ added the doctor. ‘He’s just a really nice guy and a really good pilot. We were lucky to have him and it’s a shame he doesn’t still work with us.
‘It’s really close because we’re a minimum of a four-man team, two pilots, doctor and paramedic. Most often there’s five of us, either a doctor or a paramedic in training as well.
‘We go to the most horrendous things people are likely to see. You bond pretty quickly doing that. We spoke a lot about mental health.
‘He was great – if we went to really rough jobs we would all get in touch including him and we’d follow up how patients were and check everyone was OK.’
Prince William on the first day of his job as a helicopter pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance on July 13, 2015
Prince William served as a pilot in the East Anglia Air Ambulance, from 2015 to 2017, and today he got to chat with his former colleague Dr Neil Berry
William has spoken fondly of his time at EEAA where he was treated as ‘just another member of the team’.
The job also took an ’emotional toll’ on the father-of-three, which has influenced and informed his interest in mental health issues.
William also spent time with staff and volunteers from East Anglia Children’s Hospice, whose patron is his wife, Kate, The Princess of Wales.
Volunteer David Taylor, 44, who became involved with the organisation after suffering a bereavement, joked with the 6ft 3in heir to the throne, saying he would tower over him when he put on the 7ft tall costume of Echo the Elephant, the charity’s mascot, shortly afterwards.
‘I said I was going to be taller than him and he laughed,’ Mr Taylor said.
The prince spent more than an hour meeting people at the Royal Norfolk Show, which has been held since 1847 and attracts over 85,000 visitors, 700 businesses and thousands of competitors.
He also viewed some of the livestock and presented awards, including the Queen’s Prize, which is presented to a different show-winning animal each year and this year went to a two-year-old British Saanen goat called Teion Meika.
Owner Tiegh O’Neill, 42, said: ‘He asked about preparing her and keeping her clean.’
William looked dapper for the opening day of the Royal Norfolk Show
Prince William looked happy as he was dished out high fives to waiting school children who appeared delighted to see him at the Royal Norfolk Show
The Prince got to see some of the livestock being shown at this year’s show, including the Norfolk Young Farmers Stock Judging competition
The Prince of Wales got to chat to many Norfolk-based community and youth organisations, including members of the emergency services such as the East Anglia Air Ambulance
Prince William presented the Queen’s trophy to a goat called Teion Meika, who is a British Saanen breed, and her handler Teigh O’Neill
On his way out, William posed for selfies and did high-fives with groups of screaming children who chanted his name.
He also apologised to one excited young fan that he wasn’t able to come and watch her sing later in the day but promised: ‘I’ll try and listen out for you.’
As William entered the showground he was swarmed by waiting school children who chanted his name, causing him to declare: ”You’re the most vocal children I’ve ever met, including my own!’
Hastily dishing out high fives to as many of the kids as possible, the crowd were delighted to get so close to the monarch.
Wearing a smart dark blue wool check blazer, pale blue shirt and dark trousers, the father-of-three was also spotted sharing a joke with some police officers.
The show, which has been held almost every year since 1847, usually attracts over 85,000 visitors and hosts 700 businesses from all sectors.
The Prince of Wales was on hand to give out awards to cattle handlers at the Royal Norfolk Show
The Prince got to chat to farmers about their cattle and discuss agricultural news
The Royal Norfolk Show is the biggest UK agricultural event and promotes young farmers getting involved in the industry – young cattle handlers, seen here, stand waiting to meet the Prince
Focusing on the promotion of food, farming and the countryside, the event also has a number of competitions where hundreds of livestock are entered to compete for Best in Show.
A perfect day out for kids, there’s plenty to do, see and get involved with. One popular display is the agricultural machines and areas designed to showcase innovation within the farming and agri-food sectors of Norfolk.
The show is also a celebration of the county and has a strong focus on skills and careers for young people, business engagement and community groups.
His Royal Highness also presented the Bishop’s Award for the Sustainable Environment Young Employee of the Year Award to Robert Jackets.
The award is now in its second year; and celebrates young employees, including apprentices, that work to support the protection, maintenance and development of the natural environment.
This prestigious award aims to raise the profile of land-based environment opportunities within Norfolk.
Prince William got to chat to members of the public and local school children at the event
Cattle handlers were awarded prizes by Prince William at the event at the Norfolk Showground
The crowds of waiting school children couldn’t wait to pose with Prince William as they greeted him at the event
The Prince will be in good company at the Royal Norfolk Show which attracts over 85,000 visitors each year
During his visit, His Royal Highness toured the showground and met Norfolk-based youth organisations
During his visit the Prince got to see some of the livestock being shown this year, including the Norfolk Young Farmers Stock Judging competition.
He also checked out the Beef Interbreed Championship and the Young Livestock Handlers competitions, where he presented The Queen’s Prize for the Champion goat and exhibitor.
For the past 175 years, the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association has played a key role in promoting the best farming, food, livestock and machinery of the region and enjoyed the Royal Patronage of the late Queen Elizabeth II since 1952.
This Friday’s event is in stark comparison to last week’s activities, which saw Prince William and his stunning wife Kate spend the day at Royal Ascot.
And after a long day in the sun, by the evening the heir to the throne was spotted enjoying himself at KOKO nightclub in Camden.
Footage shows the Prince of Wales dressed in a light blue shirt, holding a beer and doing his best ‘dad dancing’ from side to side while at the concert venue and former theatre in London.
Appearing in a private box alongside two friends, including Prince Louis’ godfather and nightclub owner Guy Pelly, the heir to the throne seemed relaxed while enjoying his Friday night at the electronic music-themed evening.
Wearing an open collar blue shirt and clutching a drink, the father-of-three showed off his best moves on the balcony and bobbing his head to a heavy EDM beat.
Source: Read Full Article
