Prince William and David Beckham Leave Their Mark on New Air Ambulance Helicopter: Here’s What They Wrote!

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince William and David Beckham in front of one of the new London Air Ambulance helicopters, at RAF Northolt, on Oct. 1.Photo:Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Prince Williamis celebrating key milestones for two causes central to his royal duties.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Prince of Wales started the day alongside former soccer starDavid Beckhamas they celebrated the purchase of a vital new helicopter for London’s Air Ambulance charity.

It marked the successful conclusion of its “Up Against Time” fundraising drive, which brought in more than $21 million to fund two new H135 helicopters.

William, 42 showed Beckham, 49, around the cockpit of the bright red craft at RAF Northolt, northwest London. William had invited Beckham to be a part of the Omaze campaign for the appeal which helped raise around $6 million.

Prince William and David Beckham, who the prince invited to help support the Air Ambulance appeal.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

As key supporters of the appeal, William and Beckham signed one of the two new helicopters: William wrote, “Back in the middle,” while Beckham penned, “Thank you. Fly Safe Love David Beckham.” William also posed for selfies with some of the crew members.

Afterward, it had been planned for William to watch as one of the helicopters took off on a flight above the airfield, but the quintessential wet British weather made the planned trip impossible.

Prince William signs the door of a helicopter during a visit to the London Air Ambulance overnight airbase at RAF Northolt in west London, on October 1, 2024.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

The “Up Against Time” appeal was launched in 2021 after it became clear that London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s MD902 helicopters were approaching the end of their operational lifespan, posing a potential impact on thousands of patients annually.

Prince William poses for selfies with London Air Ambulance staff at RAF Northolt, on Oct. 1.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Thanks to the success of the fundraising campaign the medical team can continue providing critical, life-saving services across London, according to William’s office at Kensington Palace.

During his visit, William met the medical and pilot crews who will be using the new helicopters, learning how the upgraded aircraft will enhance their work. He also had the opportunity to meet with Airbus engineers involved in the design and development of the helicopters, along with donors and supporters who contributed to the success of the “Up Against Time” campaign.

Prince William meets crew members from London Air Ambulance on Oct. 1.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

On Aug. 9, the royal took to social media to celebrate the campaign’s success, calling it  “Fantastic news!” in apost on X.

“This is going to havea life-saving impact," he added.

Prince William, Prince of Wales and David Beckham sit in one of the new London Air Ambulance Charity helicopters, during a visit to RAF Northolt on October 1, 2024 in Ruislip, England.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

On Sept. 13, Prince William made a private visit to the opening of the $66 million Airbus Helicopters headquarters and factory at London’s Oxford Airport, where he got to see an Airbus H135 helicopter. The outing came a few days after the formerair ambulance helicopter pilotsaid he’d“love to fly again”while visiting Wales. (Like father, like son — his eldest son,Prince George, 11, is reportedlyalready taking flying lessons!)

GEOFF CADDICK/POOL/AFP via Getty

The London-based startup is announcing a strategic partnership with Uber across both the U.S. and the U.K. — the first partnership that Uber has struck with an Earthshot Prize finalist and part of a wider partnership with The Earthshot Prize, Prince William’s global environmental initiative that he founded in 2020.

In addition to Clean Our Air (the category in which ENSO was a finalist last year), Earthshot’s other four categories are Protect and Restore Nature, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World and Fix Our Climate.

Prince William gestures as he visits the 2023 Earthshot Prize finalist ENSO, a U.K.-based tire startup developed specifically for electric vehicles, on Oct. 1, 2024 in Brentford, England.Chris Ratcliffe - WPA Pool/Getty

Chris Ratcliffe - WPA Pool/Getty

“The Earthshot Prize spotlights climate solutions from around the world, helping speed them to scale to reach their potential and create true impact,” The Earthshot Prize CEO Hannah Jones said in a statement. “We are proud that the partnership between Uber and 2023 Earthshot finalist ENSO, with its groundbreaking solution in the transportation space, provides a perfect example of how the Prize can use its convening power to connect businesses with innovators to find new ways to address the challenges we collectively face.”

During the visit to ENSO, Prince William will meet with founder and CEO Gunnlaugur Erlendsson and hear how the business has developed and scaled since he last visited in October 2023 before taking part in a discussion about the new strategic partnership between Uber and ENSO with Jones and Jill Hazelbaker, Uber’s chief marketing officer and SVP communications and public policy.

“Innovation is in Uber’s DNA, and much more is needed to tackle the climate crisis,” Hazelbaker said in a statement. “That’s why we’re partnering with The Earthshot Prize to offer Uber’s platform as a launchpad for groundbreaking solutions globally — especially those working to accelerate an all-electric future for our planet. We’re thrilled to work with ENSO to help them grow while making it easier for Uber drivers to go electric around the world.”

Prince William uses a tool as he visits the 2023 Earthshot Prize finalist ENSO, a U.K.-based tire startup developed specifically for electric vehicles, on Oct. 1, 2024 in Brentford, England.Chris Ratcliffe - WPA Pool/Getty

Before the day ends, Prince William will help fit an ENSO tire on an electric vehicle, according to his office at Kensington Palace.

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“These solutions are some of the most exciting, innovative and impactful we’ve seen, and the people behind them are true inspirations,” Prince William said in a video announcing the finalists. “I know you’re as passionate as I am about making a difference to our planet, and we can’t wait to share their stories with you.”

William’s exciting news for two causes he supports comes on the heels of his wife,Kate Middleton, resuming meetings after announcing Sept. 9 she hadcompleted chemotherapy. The Princess of Wales, 42, took part ina meeting at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17and then, a week later,another on Sept. 24at the same location — and plans forher annual Christmas carol concert, Together At Christmas, are underway for December.

source: people.com