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Prince George Makes Surprise Appearance Alongside Parents Kate Middleton and Prince William

Soaring to new heights

prince-george-surprise-visit-to-white-waltham-airfield: A photo of Prince George sitting at an event. He wears a navy suit, white shirt and blue, green and white striped tie. He smiles while watching something off camera.
Karwai Tang / Contributor/Getty Images

As the saying goes, like father like son, and this sentiment definitely rings true for Prince George, eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton and eventual reigning monarch. Yesterday, The Sun reported that the 11-year old prince made a surprise appearance at the White Waltham Airfield with his parents while he took flight via small aircraft for the very first time in a solo journey with an instructor.

The young royal is far from the first in his family to take a liking to flying and manning aircrafts. Prince William, Prince Harry, King Charles, Prince Philip, grandfather Michael Middleton, grandmother Carole Middleton and maternal great-grandfather Peter Middleton have all been involved in aviation through various careers in military, commercial airlines and more. Passion for the skies definitely runs in the Windsor-Middleton family and it seems as though Prince George caught wind of the interest too.

prince-george-surprise-visit-to-white-waltham-airfield: A photograph of Prince George and mother Kate Middleton in a crowd. She points up at the sky as Prince George watches on intently. Kate wears a black and white patterned buttoned blazer. George wears a red and navy puffer coat.
David Rogers / Staff/Getty Images

In the report the West London Aero Club explained that the airfield is “set in 200 acres on the edge of a picturesque estate in the beautiful Berkshire countryside, [and] it is also reputedly the largest grass airfield in Britain." White Waltham Airfield, located in Maidenhead, Berks, just so happens to be within driving distance from the Prince and Princess of Wales's home in Windsor. The couple and their son reportedly arrived in a three-car convoy at the airfield last week for their son's flight.

Will and Kate watched from the ground as their young son took his maiden flight on the last day of his summer holiday from school. Apparently, the Prince and Princess of Wales were very relaxed when it came to letting their son go off on his own, keeping very calm in the face of their son's newest adventure.

An onlooker shared their thoughts on the future heir's flight saying, “George is only 11 years old but it is the right time to start. The Royal Family has a proud tradition of flying and it looks like George is next in line." Prince Philip, Prince George's great-grandfather, also trained at the very same airfield. And his father, Prince William, is a natural pilot having been a trained helicopter pilot in the RAF Search and Rescue Force back in 2010. As of May, King Charles had bestowed the title of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps on William, noting that his son is “a very good pilot indeed.”

prince george surprise visit to white waltham airfield Prince George with Prince William and Princess Charlotte
Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor/Getty Images

This week, Prince William revealed that he is interested in getting back behind the controls of a helicopter stating, “I’d love to fly again, I could volunteer for a weekend to make a comeback,” during a visit to Wales Air Ambulance ­headquarters in in Llanelli, as reported by The Sun.

And according to Hello!, Prince William also said, "I can't stop talking about helicopters and medical kits and all sorts. I'm sorry I take ages waffling about it. I miss it all. I'm quite keen to stay a bit longer.”

After George's first flight, the prince and his parents relaxed and enjoyed each other's company at the airfield's clubhouse lounge which is home to the West London Aero Club.

It seems that Prince George is a natural when it comes to flying and we can't wait to see the day when he'll get to make a true solo attempt or perhaps a father-son voyage with Prince William.



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