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The Prince of Wales made a star-studded return to duty yesterday for the first time since King Charles’ cancer diagnosis by hosting a gala dinner for the Air Ambulance service.

William shared a video from the event which focused on the work the emergency service provides with included a cameo from Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise.

William is a former air ambulance pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance and mingled with crew members, former patients and supporters before delivering a short speech. 

Adding some glitz to the evening was Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who is a long term supporter of the organisation which delivers vital emergency medical treatment in the capital is trying to raise £15 million to replace its helicopter fleet. 

In a short speech, the Prince of Wales said the heartfelt words of comfort received by his family following Kate’s hospitalisation for serious abdominal surgery and King Charles’ shock cancer diagnosis ‘means a great deal to us all’.

The Prince of Wales made a star-studded return to duty yesterday hosting a gala dinner for the Air Ambulance service

The Prince of Wales made a star-studded return to duty yesterday hosting a gala dinner for the Air Ambulance service

Adding some glitz to the evening was Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who is a long term supporter of the organisation

Adding some glitz to the evening was Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who is a long term supporter of the organisation

Yesterday was William's first day back at work since King Charles' shock cancer diagnosis

Yesterday was William’s first day back at work since King Charles’ shock cancer diagnosis 

The day has been particularly busy day for the Prince – who is now the monarchy’s most prominent public figure – as he handed out more than 50 honours on behalf of the King.

As he entered the venue the Prince of Wales said he ‘really appreciates everyone’s kindness’ as he spoke out for the first time since the shock news that the King has been diagnosed with cancer.

The Prince of Wales – who served as an air ambulance pilot in East Anglia – has been patron of the organisation since 2020.

In a speech William, who has been keen in recent days to allow his father’s news to take centre stage, told his audience: ‘I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all.

‘It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather “medical” focus. So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!’

There was also a joke for Cruise, known for his daredevil high-flying film stunts, as the royal said: ‘Here in London, the current aircraft have served magnificently. But our capital city needs a new fleet. 

‘And we are Up Against Time. The clue really is in the Appeal’s name. By September, we need the two new red birds – decked with the latest kit such as night vision – in our skies.

‘I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my – our – fellow pilot, Tom Cruise. Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight.

The presence of the Top Gun star was particularly appropriate given that the gala is to support the London Air Ambulance, of which Cruise is, remarkably, an existing supporter

The presence of the Top Gun star was particularly appropriate given that the gala is to support the London Air Ambulance, of which Cruise is, remarkably, an existing supporter

The Prince of Wales - who served as an air ambulance pilot in East Anglia - has been patron of the organisation since 2020

The Prince of Wales – who served as an air ambulance pilot in East Anglia – has been patron of the organisation since 2020

Prince William’s speech in full: 

Good evening everyone. Thank you all for being here. And thank you to those whose hard work has made this evening possible.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all.

It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather “medical” focus. So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!

But, seriously, we gather tonight to help as many people as possible benefit from top class care in the silhouette of London’s Air Ambulance’s flying lifelines.

As a former pilot for East Anglia Air Ambulance, I know just how vital the work of air ambulance teams across the country is, and the truly life-saving difference it can make to deliver urgent medical care wherever injury strikes.

Here in London, the current aircraft have served magnificently. But our capital city needs a new fleet. And we are Up Against Time. The clue really is in the Appeal’s name. By September, we need the two new red birds – decked with the latest kit such as night vision – in our skies.

You wouldn’t be here if you needed much persuading, I know. But just wait to hear Milana’s story later of how the Air Ambulance, and its incredible teams, have given her a second chance at life.

I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my – our – fellow pilot, Tom Cruise. Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight.

And Tom, if you wouldn’t mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the next Mission Impossible, it would be appreciated. We have all seen on our screens that – how can I put it – you seem to have a different take on ‘normal wear and tear’ to the rest of us. It’s not the kind that buffs out.

Anyway, an enormous thank you to all for being here tonight and for supporting such a wonderful cause.

You are all, each and every one of you, lifesavers.

‘And if you wouldn’t mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the next Mission : Impossible, it would be appreciated. 

‘We have all seen on our screens that – how can I put it – you seem to have a different take on ‘normal wear and tear’ to the rest of us.

‘It’s not the kind that buffs out, that’s for sure.’

It was only a brief moment in the spotlight for William, however, who will now return to Windsor with the king’s blessing, to care for his family.

The prince cleared his diary after the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital on January 16 for what has only been described as ‘abdominal surgery’. She required a two-week hospital stay and will not resume public duties until after Easter.

The heir to the throne is unlikely to be seen in public now for another 10 days at least.

Jonathan Jenkins, chief executive of London’s Air Ambulance Charity, thanked the prince for attending at such a difficult time, saying: ‘I think I speak on behalf of everybody at the London Air Ambulance family, and everyone else in this room, that we send you at this particular time our love, our best wishes and our support to you and your family and, in particular His Royal Highness [meaning the King].’

He added that they were ‘immensely privilege have his Royal Highness as Patron not because he is a senior member of the royal family, not because he is next in line to the throne but because to us he is one of us. Prince William is a former air ambulance pilot,. So he gets what we do. And that’s incredibly important and powerful for us as a service. ‘

Singer Debbie Sledge told the Mail that she had told the prince she was praying for his father, the King.

‘I hadn’t planned to and I haven’t met His Majesty or any of the Royal Family before but I felt so strongly that I should. They are good people,’ she said.

‘My hearts go out to them all.’

As William undertook his first day of engagements for three weeks, his estranged brother, Prince Harry, jetted back out of Britain after a whirlwind 24-hour visit.

The Duke of Sussex flew to London to meet with the King on Tuesday for the first time in 17 months, spending less than 45 minutes with him at Clarence House, his London residence.

The King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, left immediately afterwards by helicopter for Sandringham, his Norfolk estate.

Harry remained in the UK overnight, departing from the VIP suite at Heathrow Airport yesterday lunchtime to catch a scheduled flight back to California.

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This post first appeared on Daily mail