Prince William is set to become one of the first to travel in one of London Air Ambulance Charity’s new helicopters today on a trip to RAF Northolt.

William, 42, will arrive at the station in Ruislip, West London, on Tuesday morning to heavy rain and dark skies to mark the end of the charity’s ‘Up Against Time’ fundraising appeal.

The scheme was launched in 2021 after it became clear that the London Air Ambulance Charity’s MD902 helicopters would be out of service within a matter of years.

The loss of the aircraft would have severely affected the outcomes of thousands of patients every year.

The appeal raised £16 million enabling the purchase of two new H135 helicopters, which will ensure the medical team can continue to provide their vital services across London.

In August, the heir to the throne hailed the announcement about the money raised, posting on X: Fantastic News! This is going to have a life-saving impact. A huge thank you to everyone who donated W.”

Today, William, who is patron of London’s Air Ambulance Charity, is visiting RAF Northolt to view the new helicopters and meet pilots and medical crew.

They will tell him how the aircraft will positively impact their roles.

The prince will also meet with Airbus engineers who were involved in the creation and development of the new helicopters.

At the end of the visit, William is due to hop inside one of the new helicopters and join its first flight.

He was originally due to travel to The Royal London Hospital where the Prince would meet former patients of the charity and key supporters of the appeal, but it had to be cancelled due to the weather.

Instead, he is due to join on a short flight around the base alongside Chief Pilot Sam Tompkins, if the weather allows.

London’s Air Ambulance Charity was established in 1989 following a growing consensus of opinion that victims of serious accidents were dying because of the delay in expert medical help reaching them, and the time it took to transport patients to hospital.

The service pioneered the doctor-on-board model for air ambulances and aims to bring the hospital emergency department to the scene of an incident.

Today’s engagements take place just hours after Prince Harry attended the annual Wellchild awards in London. It is believed that the two brothers will not meet during the duke’s short stay in the UK.