Air ambulances will be able to touch down at Kensington Palace for refuelling during the coronavirus pandemic after the Duke of Cambridge gave permission for them to use a private lawn.
It is thought the move – agreed by Prince William, who became patron of the London Air Ambulance Charity in March – will save lives because it means paramedics will no longer have to waste precious time flying to the nearest fuelling base in Watford.
Under the new arrangement, helicopters will be able to land and take off from Perks Field, grassland next to Kensington Palace usually used as a landing site for Royal Family helicopters.
The palace serves as the London home and offices of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are currently in lockdown with their three children at their Anmer Hall residence in Norfolk.
William, a former search and rescue helicopter pilot, was known as Flight Lieutenant Wales when he served with the RAF in Angelsey, North Wales. During his three-year tour William took part in 156 search and rescue operations with 149 people being rescued.
He later worked as a helicopter pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance for 18 months between 2015 and 2017 before stepping down to take on more royal duties on behalf of the Queen.
A royal source confirmed the initiative and said: “Perks Field has been made available to the London Air Ambulance.
“The palaces are happy to help in these times.”
