Prince William Celebrates Exciting Milestone for a Cause Close to His Heart: 'Fantastic News'

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince William at RAF Valley on July 9, 2024.Photo:Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince Williamtook to social media to kick off the weekend with a piece of good news about a cause close to his heart.

On Aug. 9, William, 42, penned a personal message celebrating London’s Air Ambulance Charity achieving its fundraising goal for two new Airbus H135 helicopters.

“Fantastic news! This is going to have a life-saving impact,” William wrote onX, reposting the initial announcement from the charity he has backed as a patron since 2020.

“A huge thank you to everyone who donated,” he continued, adding a helicopter emoji and signing the post “W.” The heir to the throne and his wife,Kate Middleton, are known to use the initials of their first names as shorthand on social media to indicate that messages are coming directly from them.

Prince William speaks with air ambulance pilots, doctors and paramedics at the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner in London on Feb. 7, 2024.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty

DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty

“London, you did it,” the message read, alongside an applause emoji. “We’ve hit our #UpAgainstTime target…and some! We are thrilled to announce we have passed our #UpAgainstTime appeal target of £15 million to replace our helicopters and keep them flying for years to come.”

The future king became patron of the organization in March 2020, a move that aligned with his passion for supporting emergency services. It’s a cause close to William’s heart, as William served as an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance from 2015 to 2017 and flew 999 missions, according tohis official biography.

Prince William arrives at The Royal London Hospital with the London Air Ambulance on Jan. 9, 2019.Ian Vogler - WPA Pool/Getty Images

While onstage giving a speech at February’s gala dinner supporting London’s Air Ambulance,William voiced supportfor the #UpAgainstTime appeal, specifically to one special guest —Tom Cruise!

“I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my — our — fellow pilot, Tom Cruise,” William said in his remarks. “Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight. And Tom, if you wouldn’t mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the nextMission 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,” he joked about the actor’s stunts.

Tom Cruise and Prince William at the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner in London on Feb. 7, 2024.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

William has previouslyconnected with Cruiseon several occasions, most recently at the London premiere ofTop Gun: Maverickin May 2022 alongside Princess Kate.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are enjoying the remaining days of their children’s summer break from school beforePrince George,Princess Charlotte, andPrince Louishead back to school early next month. It continues to be a summer of recovery for Kate, who is continuingtreatment for cancer.

“Being with her family and just being herself will give her energy,” a palace insider previouslytold PEOPLE. “There will be plenty of time to focus on her recovery.”

Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024.Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

source: people.com