Prince William praises ‘outstanding’ work of paramedics at a essential care convention – in his first look since Kate Middleton introduced her remission

On Jan 15, 2025

Published: 15:18, 15 January 2025 | Updated: 16:22, 15 January 2025

Prince William expressed his gratitude for the ‘remarkable’ work of frontline healthcare staff as he arrived in Birmingham for a conference on emergency and critical care – in his first appearance since Kate announced she is in remission.

The royal, 42, has returned to royal duties after it was announced that he was being made Patron of the College of Paramedics.

The Prince of Wales was seen arriving at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre for the Emergency and Critical Care Conference.

The talk is dedicated to supporting emergency responders in making effective decisions under pressure.

William was filmed by Greatest Hits Radio West Midlands entering the revolving doors as he greeted a man on the entrance who wished him a ‘warm welcome’.

The future king responded: ‘Thank you, it’s very nice to be back, as always.’

He looked very dapper in a black slim-fit coat and opted for a smart matching black suit, a crisp white shirt, a navy blue tie and brown suede loafers.

During his visit, William smiled and chatted with various paramedics from different areas of the UK.

Prince William looked dapper in a black slim-fit coat and opted for a smart matching black suit, a crisp white shirt, a navy blue tie and brown suede loafers

He was seen listening and nodding intently while a woman from the Cymru High Acuity Response Unit explained what her job entailed, saying that she often goes to the ‘worst of the worst’ situations.

William was also seen shaking hands with search and rescue paramedic, Edward Griffiths, along with speaking to other attendees of the event.

The prince and his son, George, are Aston Villa fans and he mentioned his beloved football club in his speech at the conference.

‘It’s great to be back in Birmingham, and for any fellow Villa fans with us today – I look forward to celebrating our win over Everton later,’ he said, which was met with laughter from the audience.

‘Thank you to everyone who has made this event possible. Often referred to as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of frontline healthcare, paramedics and those in the emergency services are adaptable, multiskilled and crucially, know how to work under pressure.

‘This pressure is something I was all too familiar with during my time as a pilot for RAF Search and Rescue and for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.’

William worked in the field of emergency care as he was an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) between March 2015 and July 2017.

He also graduated from his Search and Rescue training course at Royal Air Force five years prior in 2010.

William was filmed by Greatest Hits Radio West Midlands entering the revolving doors as he greeted a man on the entrance who wished him a ‘warm welcome’

William was also seen shaking hands with search and rescue paramedic, Edward Griffiths

During his visit, William smiled and chatted to various paramedics from different areas of the UK

The talk is dedicated to supporting emergency responders in making effective decisions under pressure

Prince William is pictured beginning his new job with the East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2015

William opened up more about his experience working for the EAAA on Wednesday and said: ‘My time in these roles allowed me to better understand the day-to-day challenges that you all face and gave me the lifelong motivation to do all I can to support your community. It is not just another job.

‘Every day provides unpredictable challenges. Every shout is a journey into the unknown. Every split second decision, has immeasurable impact on so many people.’

The royal previously spoke about how his work with the EAAA had affected him mentally over the years.

He spoke about a particular case that upset him on a special episode of Apple Fitness+’s Time to Walk series in 2021.

He said: ‘Immediately it became clear that this young person was in serious difficulty, sadly been hit by a car.

‘And of course there are some things in life you don’t really want to see. And all we cared about at the time was fixing this boy.

‘And the parents are very hysterical, as you can imagine, screaming, wailing, not knowing what to do, you know, and in, in real agony themselves. And that lives with you.

Although his team was able to stabilise the boy, William said he ‘went home that night pretty upset but not noticeably.’

‘I wasn’t in tears, but inside, I felt something had changed. I felt a sort of, a real tension inside of me,’ he said.

This visit comes as his wife, the Princess of Wales, 43, announced that she is in remission after she was diagnosed with cancer at the start of last year.

Prince William is seen smiling during the inaugural Emergency and Critical Care Conference

He was seen listening and nodding intently while a woman from the Cymru High Acuity Response Unit explained what her job entailed, saying that she often goes to the 'worst of the worst' situations

The royal, 42, has returned to royal duties after it was announced that he was being made Patron of the College of Paramedics

Prince William was snapped listening to responders speak about their jobs and what they face everyday

The Prince of Wales, patron of the College of Paramedics, greets Dr. Halden Hutchinson-Bazely

Prince William’s speech in full

Thank you Tracy and good afternoon everybody.

It’s great to be back in Birmingham, and for any fellow Villa fans with us today – I look forward to celebrating our win over Everton later… I am particularly pleased to be standing here as the College of Paramedics’ new Patron and to have the opportunity to join your first ever Emergency and Critical Care conference.

Thank you to everyone who has made this event possible. Often referred to as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of frontline healthcare, paramedics and those in the emergency services are adaptable, multiskilled and crucially, know how to work under pressure. This pressure is something I was all too familiar with during my time as a pilot for RAF Search and Rescue and for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Both Hutch and Ed just characterised this experience so well in their sessions. My time in these roles allowed me to better understand the day-to-day challenges that you all face and gave me the lifelong motivation to do all I can to support your community. It is not just another job.

Every day provides unpredictable challenges. Every shout is a journey into the unknown. Every split second decision, has immeasurable impact on so many people. Catherine and I visited Southport in the autumn as part of The Royal Foundation’s work with the Blue Light Card Foundation, providing emergency responders with psychological support.

Speaking to the paramedics and other frontline care providers on that day, was another reminder of the horrors you can be met with, but also the vital job that you do. Saving lives is not the only challenge you face.

In your role, you are there for people in the most critical and emotional moments, having to display care and skill in highly stressful and often distressing circumstances. Working alongside you in Wales and East Anglia I know the team effort that is required to provide emergency health care, but I also know that at the beginning it is sometimes a lone paramedic.

In a car, on a bike, in a helicopter, in an ambulance, on foot. Your ability to calm the patient, to listen to their fears, to reassure them that help has arrived, is as important as the subsequent medical intervention. But as you know all too well, this can lead to burnout and a significant impact on your mental wellbeing.

And with the role of the paramedic ever evolving – expanding into research, leadership and academic domains – there is increasingly pressure placed upon your shoulders. So as well as doing what you do best in the care of others, it is vital that you are also there for yourselves and for each other. In particular, supporting paramedic students coming through the ranks, to ensure a strong, capable workforce for years to come.

The working life of the members of your College span a considerable period of time. I am aware that many of you will have been on the frontline during the fight against COVID. When Chris Bell, a paramedic with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended that first COVID patient in the U.K., he and we, had no idea of the significance of that moment. A further demonstration of the unknown you face on every call, every day.

You and your NHS colleagues undertook remarkable work in the most testing of circumstances. We will never forget your unwavering and brave work during that period.

I am so proud to become Patron of an organisation which is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics and fostering an environment where all paramedics can thrive. In this country, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our emergency services.

As paramedics in whatever guise, your work uniquely places tremendous demands upon you and I cannot thank you enough for all that you do. Thank you.

It has been a tough and challenging year for the Royal Family, as King Charles also announced that he has cancer in February 2024 and is undergoing treatment for it.

On Tuesday, Kate visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she underwent preventative chemotherapy for cancer.

She was seen taking the time to engage in conversation with staff working the wards, thanking them for their ‘exceptional care, support and compassion’ over the past 12 months.

Kate also revealed how she struggled with a gruelling course of preventative chemotherapy.

The royal said: ‘It’s really tough,’ as she empathised with one patient who was having chemotherapy. ‘It’s such a shock’.

Recalling words of advice that helped her, the princess added: ‘Everyone said to me please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference,’ she said, adding that ‘When I came in everyone said make sure you have all your warm things [clothes] on’ because of the side effects.’

The princess asked patient’s details of their treatment, trials, wellbeing, and asked after their families.

‘Oh my goodness,’ she exclaimed on occasion, hearing difficult accounts of long treatment, and shook her head sympathetically.

Of the importance of looking after oneself during and after treatment, she said: ‘I really felt like I needed to get the sun. You need loads of water and loads of sunlight.’

When one woman’s machinery started beeping during their conversation, signalling treatment was needed, she said: ‘I recognise that beep!’

Hearing about one man’s diagnosis, the Princess said: ‘The body is amazing at telling us ‘you need to take time out’.’

The Princess of Wales talks with patient Peter Burton at the Royal Marsden Hospital on Tuesday

The Princess of Wales walking in to the hospital in London where she underwent treatment

The Princess of Wales arrives for a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea on Tuesday

The Princess of Wales meets Scout, the Royal Marsden Hospital’s therapy dog on Tuesday

Ruth Bosworth, whose husband Richard was having treatment, told the Princess she had ‘managed the children [George, Charlotte and Louis] so well’, making her smile warmly. ‘Oh, that’s kind,’ she replied.

Kate posted a message on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official social media pages and wrote: ‘I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year.

‘My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything.

‘We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional.

‘In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer.

‘It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.

‘I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.’