Experts have remarked that Prince William, an accomplished pilot with a background in the RAF search and rescue and air ambulance services, found it relatively easy to handle the Apache helicopter.
However, they note that Prince Harry exhibited more flair and “Top Gun swagger” during his time flying the gunship in combat.
On Monday, Prince William, now Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, flew the multi-million-pound gunship from an Army airfield in Hampshire, where he was greeted by his brother’s former unit, the 662 Squadron.
Defence expert Philip Ingram, a former Colonel in British military intelligence, stated that while flying the Apache’s basics might be straightforward for William, there’s a significant difference between merely flying it and maneuvering it in combat like Harry did in Afghanistan.
Body language expert Judi James compared the two brothers’ demeanor in the cockpit, noting that while William exuded confidence and calmness, Harry displayed excitement and a desire to appear heroic.
William’s walk to the helicopter showed confidence, with subtle hints of adrenaline, while Harry’s had more of a “Top Gun swagger,” indicating enthusiasm for the adventure.
Prince Harry served as an Apache commander and co-pilot gunner during his operational tour of Afghanistan in 2013, where he was filmed sharing flying duties and controlling the helicopter’s weapons.
In contrast, Prince William’s piloting skills were honed during his time in the RAF and later as an air ambulance pilot. In his memoir, Harry described his combat experiences, including engaging with Taliban fighters, which stirred controversy among military veterans.
‘In truth, you can’t hurt people if you see them as people. They were chess pieces taken off the board, bad guys eliminated before they kill good guys.
