On May 13, 2024, Prince William was appointed colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corp at the Army Aviation Centre, Middle Wallop, Hampshire. The honor, previously held by Prince Harry, was passed on to William by King Charles, who acknowledged his adept skills as a pilot during the ceremony. King Charles expressed confidence in Prince William's future contributions to the regiment, highlighting his aviation prowess.
During the ceremony, soldiers from the Army Air Corp presented thoughtful gifts to the royal family. Prince William received presents on behalf of his wife, Princess Kate, who was unable to attend due to ongoing cancer treatment, and their children. The family received an AAC tartan wrap for the Princess, a personal scarf for Prince William, and wooden helicopter toys for their children George, Charlotte, and Louis. The choice of tartan was significant as it aligned with Kate's known preference for the pattern in her fashion choices.
This event marked the first joint appearance of Prince William and King Charles since 2022. Prince William later participated in his first engagement as colonel-in-chief, where he inspected the regiment’s training and operational aircraft.