Prince William’s Cape Town Visit Recalls His Rescue Pilot Days

During the trip, the Prince of Wales took part in a number of environmental initiatives, including a visit to the National Sea Rescue Institute in Simon’s Town, a coastal town near Cape Town.

Wearing a red waterproof jacket and sunglasses, William boarded a sea rescue boat for a short trip to Kalk Bay Harbor, where he met with fishermen.

William, who has a background in rescue services as a former Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, expressed enthusiasm

for the work being done by volunteers.
He stood on the top deck as the boat departed from Simon’s Town, which is home to South Africa’s primary naval base.
Climate During South Africa Earths…

News
Royal Family
Prince William
South Africa
Cape Town
Prince
Rescue
Prince William’s Cape Town Visit Recalls His Rescue Pilot Days
Published Nov 07, 2024 at 10:07 AM EST
Updated Nov 07, 2024 at 10:16 AM EST

00:25
By Shamim Chowdhury
FOLLOW
Britain’s Prince William concluded a four-day visit to Cape Town on Thursday, highlighting his ongoing commitment to conservation and recalling his time as a rescue pilot.

overlay-clevercloseLogo
During the trip, the Prince of Wales took part in a number of environmental initiatives, including a visit to the National Sea Rescue Institute in Simon’s Town, a coastal town near Cape Town.

Wearing a red waterproof jacket and sunglasses, William boarded a sea rescue boat for a short trip to Kalk Bay Harbor, where he met with fishermen.

William, who has a background in rescue services as a former Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, expressed enthusiasm for the work being done by volunteers.

He stood on the top deck as the boat departed from Simon’s Town, which is home to South Africa’s primary naval base.

Britain’s Prince William in South Africa
Britain’s Prince William sails off with volunteers of the National Sea Rescue Initiative, at Simon’s Town harbor near Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 7, 2024. He wrapped up a four-day visit to Cape Town dedicated… More JEROME DELAY/AP, POOL
When Was Prince William a Rescue Pilot?

The prince, who is in South Africa to promote his Earthshot environmental prize, also toured the National Sea Rescue Institute’s operations, meeting volunteers and learning about the training and support they receive.

When one volunteer inquired about his own rescue experience, William replied, “I miss this life. Any chance to get back, I’ll take.”

He later met Mike Vonk, CEO of the National Sea Rescue Institute, who said, “With the prince’s background in rescue services, he was really interested in the work we do.”