NewsBite

Prince George took to the skies for his first flying lesson

Prince George has followed in his father and great-grandfather's footsteps by taking to the skies.

Prince George has started taking flying lessons. Picture: WireImage
Prince George has started taking flying lessons. Picture: WireImage

Prince George has taken to the skies in his first flying lesson, carrying on the royal family tradition.

The eldest son of Prince William and Princess Catherine “loved” the experience, an onlooker told The Sun.

“George is only 11 years old but it is the right time to start,” he said.

“The royal family has a proud tradition of flying and it looks like George is next in line.

“He loved it.”

Prince George, who celebrated his 11th birthday this year, has started flying lessons. Picture: Instagram/The Princess of Wales
Prince George, who celebrated his 11th birthday this year, has started flying lessons. Picture: Instagram/The Princess of Wales

The Prince and Princess of Wales watched on from the Berkshire airfield clubhouse their son took to the skies for his first lesson with an instructor.

“Catherine and William watched George take off. But they were relaxed about it. All three of them had been pretty chilled in the clubhouse,” a witness said.

The young royal’s flying lesson took place last week on the final day of his summer holidays.

Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte with parents Prince William and Princess Catherine watch Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace in June. Picture: Getty Images
Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte with parents Prince William and Princess Catherine watch Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace in June. Picture: Getty Images

The British Royal Family has a long history of flying.

Prince George’s late great-grandfather, Prince Philip, trained at the same airfield.

He was 31 when he started his lessons at White Waltham in November of 1952. He first trained in the De Havilland Chipmunk and then flew the North American Harvard aircraft.

Six months later he was awarded his wings by Air Chief Marshal Sir William Dickson.

Prince George has started flying lessons, carrying on a long-time tradition of the British Royal Family. Picture: AFP
Prince George has started flying lessons, carrying on a long-time tradition of the British Royal Family. Picture: AFP

King Charles also trained with the RAF.

His sons also went onto become pilots.

In 2009, a then 27-year-old Prince William started intensive training with the Royal Air Force, where he learned to fly fixed-wing aircraft and later helicopters.

Prince Harry followed the same training and served in Afghanistan in 2012 as a gunner in a Apache helicopter.

Prince George, who is second in line to the British royal throne after his father, also inherited a love of the skies from his mother’s side of the family too.

Princes Catherine’s grandfather flew British Airways jets, her father Michael Middleton studied to be a pilot with British European Airways and her mother Carole was a BA flight attendant.

Originally published as Prince George took to the skies for his first flying lesson

Read related topics:Queen Elizabeth

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/prince-george-took-to-the-skies-for-his-first-flying-lesson/news-story/125a7cb7543737c66573b0690fa58265