Prince William the Duke of Cambridge has returned to work after his paternity leave yesterday – and onlookers could be forgiven for wondering if he had brought his wife with him.
As William clocked in for his first shift with the East Anglian Air Ambulance service, he was teamed up with flying doctor Gemma Mullen. The glamorous brunette, who bears a striking resemblance to the Duchess of Cambridge, will fly rescue missions with William.
Both 33, they will make a formidable team. The Duke was formerly an RAF search and rescue pilot, while Cheshire-born Dr Mullen is an experienced medic who previously flew on the London Air Ambulance.
Starting work at 7am sharp at Cambridge Airport yesterday, William confessed: ‘It’s my first day and I’m feeling the nerves.
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But he added that he was ‘fantastically excited’ and looking forward to working with a ‘very professional bunch of guys and girls’.
The prince, who is known as Captain William Wales in his role as an air ambulance pilot, is paid a salary for the job, all of which is donated to charity.
He will work nine-and-a-half hour shifts as part of a four days on, four off rota.
During that time he will be on call to be sent to emergencies ranging from road traffic accidents to people suffering heart attacks.
The Duke did not seem fazed by the long hours, saying that he hoped juggling fatherhood, royal duties and his new job would help him become a ‘grounded individual’.
Asked about Princess Charlotte, he said: ‘It’s been fantastic, she’s been a little joy from heaven.
‘At the same time, there is a lot of responsibility, especially when George is around – he’s been a little monkey.
He also paid tribute to the Duchess, saying: ‘It is fantastic having a lovely little family and I am so thrilled. And Catherine has been doing an amazing job as a mother and I’m very proud of her.’
But he sidestepped a question about further children, saying: ‘We’ve only just had the second one. You never know what is going to happen in the future.
William’s first duties yesterday included carrying out safety checks and refuelling the aircraft – but there was little time to settle in as he and his crew-mates were dispatched on their first emergency call-out at 9.20am.
However, the incident did not turn out to be as serious as first expected and they were quickly stood down.
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