PRINCE Harry and Prince William have had extensive careers in the military.
Here we take a look to see if either Prince William or Prince Harry ever became a qualified helicopter pilot.
Was Prince Harry an RAF pilot?
Harry was never officially in the RAF but he was an Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington - the home of the RAF Regiment.
He marked this at the 100-year anniversary of the RAF in July 2018 by wearing a No 1 RAF uniform, with RAF Regiment shoulder flashes.
Harry instead served with the British Army for ten years where he rose to the rank of Captain.
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He carried out two tours of Afghanistan including a two-month stint in Helmand.
He was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with The Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) on April 13, 2008.
Did Prince Harry fly Apache helicopters?
In December 2008, Prince Harry passed his Army Air Corps "Grading" and Pilot’s Selection Board interview to begin training to become an Army Air Corps Pilot in January 2009.
During his time in the Army Air Corps he was assigned to 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment within 16 Air Assault Brigade.
Harry later qualified as an Apache helicopter commander in 2013 after three years of training.
While on a five-month tour in Afghanistan, he served as a co-pilot gunner - sharing flying duties and taking control of the weapons of the two-man Apache.
He later revealed he had shot at the enemy, saying: "Take a life to save a life.
"If there's people trying to do bad stuff to our guys, then we'll take them out of the game, I suppose."
He was awarded a prize for best co-pilot gunner when he first qualified as an Apache pilot in February 2012.
Is Prince William still an air ambulance pilot?
After leaving operational duties with the Armed Forces, Prince William retrained to become an air ambulance pilot and worked with the East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2015.
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But in January 2017, Kensington Palace announced that he would be completing his work with his last shift on July 15.
Speaking of his time with the service, he said: "It has been a huge privilege to fly with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
The great thing is he’s a very good pilot indeed, so that’s encouraging"
King Charles
"Following on from my time in the military, I have had experiences in this job I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and that will add a valuable perspective to my Royal work for decades to come."
He continued: "I would like to thank the people of East Anglia for being so supportive of my role and for letting me get on with the job when they have seen me in the community or at our region's hospitals.
"I would especially like to thank all of my colleagues at EAAA, Babcock, and Cambridge Airport for their friendship and support.
"I have loved being part of a team of professional, talented people that save lives every day. My admiration for our country's medical and emergency services community could not be any stronger."
On May 13, 2024, King Charles handed over the title of colonel-in-chief of Prince Harry's old regiment to Prince William.
His Majesty declared his eldest son the combat aviation arm of the British Army at a ceremony at the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire.
The King told service personnel: “I did just want to say what a great joy it is to be with you.
“But also, it’s tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all.
"I do hope you’ll go from strength to strength in the future with the Prince of Wales as your new Colonel-in-Chief.
"I can't tell you how proud it has made me to have been involved with you all this time.
“The great thing is he’s a very good pilot indeed, so that’s encouraging.”
There was no mention in his speech of wayward Harry, who if he and wife Meghan had not stepped down as working royals then the ceremonial appointment would have likely been his.
