Prince William, the Prince of Wales, swapped his royal robes for camouflage gear and a blue beret during a recent visit to Wattisham flying station in Suffolk.
This wasn’t a formal royal wave-from-a-distance moment — he got right in the thick of things, even serving up bacon and sausage baps to the troops.
From Flying Wildcat to Listening Close
In true hands-on style, William piloted a Wildcat helicopter to the base, showcasing his connection as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
Once on the ground, he headed into a camouflaged tent set up as a mobile planning hub, diving deep into the mission-planning technology with Lance Corporal Sulabh Ale guiding him.
But what really caught his attention wasn’t the tech — it was the soldiers’ complaints about their poor living conditions.
“I’m going to have a chat about accommodation, make sure they look at that,” William promised with a cheeky grin.
“If they listen to me, that’s another matter.”
His humor helped ease the mood, but the message was clear: improving housing is urgent.
When he asked about their accommodation, the soldiers’ smiles said it all.
“I’ll take that away, a lot of smiles going on, that’s all you need to say,” he joked.
Boosting Team Spirit and Remembering Comrades
Staff Sergeant Megan Chasney, who has served at Wattisham for 15 years, described the visit as “fantastic.”
She was encouraged by William’s commitment to improving the base’s infrastructure.
She also spoke about the weekly Archer’s Breakfast — a ritual that’s more than just a meal.
“It’s really important to the soldiers here, especially those who served alongside Daniel Pope in Afghanistan.
It’s about making sure he’s not forgotten.”
Recognizing Service and Sharing a Laugh
William’s visit wasn’t just about listening — he also handed out a King’s Commendation for Valuable Service and promoted several soldiers from corporal to sergeant.
He kept the mood light, joking with families about the ups and downs of military life: “Some of them might not want to see you that much – it’s a mixed bag.”
Tackling the Housing Crisis for Military Families
The Ministry of Defence knows this issue runs deep.
They’ve admitted that many military families have been living in subpar homes for far too long.
To fix this, they’ve pledged over £1.5 billion (about R35.4 billion) to improve housing conditions.
Decent accommodation isn’t just a British challenge — it’s a global one.
And as Prince William put it plainly, “I’m going to discuss accommodation, ensuring they take that into consideration.”
What’s Next for the Army Air Corps?
With the Prince of Wales now personally championing the cause, many hope this visit marks a turning point.
Improving where soldiers live could boost morale, wellbeing, and overall effectiveness.
For now, the focus is on turning promises into action — and making sure the heroes who serve get the homes they deserve.