Kensington Palace recently shared a stunning video featuring Kate Middleton, along with captivating solo photos of Prince William. As September comes to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the royal family’s latest escapades. While July and August treated us to rare glimpses, new portraits, and festive birthday celebrations, this past month has truly been a standout.
Today, Prince William and Kate Middleton delighted fans by sharing a series of captivating videos and images on their Instagram story, aptly titled "September Rewind." This recap showcased the couple’s most memorable moments from the past month, including a breathtaking video of Princess Catherine, 42, and a striking image of Prince William, also 42, braving the rain.
The first highlight featured an emotional three-minute video from Princess Catherine, where she joyfully announced the completion of her chemotherapy treatment. “I am really looking forward to getting back to work and engaging in more public appearances in the coming months when I can,” she expressed in the video. “Despite everything that has happened, I embrace this new chapter of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and gratitude for life.”
Next, the recap revisited Prince William's announcement of the finalists for the 2024 Earthshot Prize. Fans quickly noticed a fresh look on the Prince of Wales, who sported a neatly trimmed beard. One follower commented on the Instagram post, “Looking dapper with that outfit and, of course, the beard.” Another added, “Wow, the prince's stubble is refreshingly attractive and handsome.”
One of the final posts showcased a striking new image of Prince William standing alone in the rain, evoking a scene straight out of a fairy tale with the lush greenery of the surrounding forest.
Meanwhile, Prince William and David Beckham recently celebrated a significant milestone by marking the acquisition of a new air ambulance helicopter for London's charity. On October 1st, the two icons came together to support this vital cause. Prince William, who has a history as an air ambulance pilot, has long been a supporter of the charity.
This latest achievement stems from the success of the Up Against Time fundraising campaign, which raised over $21 million to purchase two new H135 helicopters. These helicopters are crucial for ensuring that London’s air ambulance continues to deliver life-saving care across the city, replacing older models that were nearing the end of their operational lifespan.
During the ceremony, William, now 42, joined 49-year-old David Beckham at RAF Northolt in Northwest London to witness the arrival of the helicopter. William even gave Beckham a personal tour of the aircraft's cockpit, showcasing his deep knowledge from his days as a pilot. Beckham played a key role in the fundraising campaign, helping to raise around $6 million of the total amount.
As a symbolic gesture, both men left their signatures on the new helicopter. William wrote, “Back in the middle,” while Beckham left a heartfelt note that read, “Thank you, fly safe. Love, David Beckham.” Their contributions represent not just financial backing but a personal investment in the continued success of the charity. They also posed for photos with some of the air ambulance crew members, adding a personal touch to the celebration.
Although one of the helicopters was planned to take off during the event, the wet British weather forced the team to cancel the flight. Nevertheless, the spirit of the occasion remained high, marking the end of a successful fundraising campaign that started in 2021.
The purchase of these helicopters was essential, as the charity's older MD902 helicopters were nearing the end of their service, potentially impacting the lives of countless patients. Thanks to the Up Against Time campaign, London’s air ambulance charity can continue to offer critical medical services to those in need across the city.
During his visit, Prince William met the pilots, paramedics, and medical teams who will be using the upgraded helicopters, as well as the engineers from Airbus who helped design and develop the new fleet. He also interacted with some of the donors and key supporters of the campaign, acknowledging their vital role in making it a success.
Back in August, Prince William expressed his enthusiasm for the campaign's success on social media, calling the outcome “fantastic news” in a post on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. He emphasized that the new helicopters would have a life-saving impact on emergency medical care in London.
In addition to his commitment to London’s air ambulance, William made a private visit on September 13th to the new Airbus helicopter headquarters at London’s Oxford Airport. This $66 million facility is part of Airbus’s ongoing development of cutting-edge aviation technology, including the new H135 helicopter model. This visit followed Prince William’s earlier trip to Wales, where he revealed that he’d love to fly again, reflecting his passion for aviation and emergency services.
Flying seems to run in the family, as well, with William’s eldest son, Prince George, now 11, reportedly taking flying lessons. This continuing family tradition of interest in aviation underscores William’s deep connection to the air ambulance charity and his personal experience as a pilot.
While supporting the air ambulance initiative, Prince William is also dedicated to his environmental work. After celebrating the success of the helicopter campaign, his next stop was a visit to Eno, a 2023 Earthshot Prize finalist. Eno is a London-based startup focused on developing sustainable, eco-friendly tires specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs). Their innovations aim to reduce harmful tire pollution, contributing to cleaner air and aligning with the goals of William’s Earthshot Prize initiative.
Founded in 2020 by Prince William, the Earthshot Prize aims to highlight and accelerate innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. It recognizes efforts in five categories: clean our air, protect and restore nature, revive our oceans, build a waste-free world, and fix our climate.
Eno, which competed in the cleaner air category, has made significant strides in developing more sustainable tires that will reduce the environmental impact of EVs. During his visit, William met with CEO and founder Gunhild Læssø, who updated him on the company’s progress since his last visit. William also participated in discussions about the new strategic partnership between Eno and Uber, marking Uber’s first collaboration with an Earthshot Prize finalist.
This partnership is part of Uber’s broader commitment to sustainability, aiming to use its platform to promote solutions that help tackle climate change. Jill Hazelbaker, Uber’s Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Policy, praised the initiative, stating that innovation is in Uber’s DNA and underscoring the need for groundbreaking solutions to address the global climate crisis.
The visit ended on a high note, with Prince William helping to fit an Eno tire onto an electric vehicle, demonstrating his personal commitment to supporting the transition to more sustainable transportation. Eno also recently announced plans to build a $500 million carbon-neutral tire factory in the U.S., set to open by 2027. The factory will employ over 600 people and produce more than 5 million electric vehicle tires annually.
Prince William’s support of both London’s air ambulance and the Earthshot Prize reflects his dedication to making a positive impact in key areas, from life-saving medical services to combating climate change. By lending his influence and voice to these important causes, William continues to leave a lasting mark on the lives of many, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future.
