Prince William's new right-hand man unveiled - and he looks just him

Prince William
-Credit: (Image: Oli Scarff/WPA Pool/REX/Shutterstock)


Prince William looks to be welcoming change in his life at the moment, with the Royal having shown off a new look and also introduced a new member of staff in recent weeks. The Prince of Wales was seen sporting a new rugged bearded look in a video shared after the Paris 2024 Olympics, and it looks like his beard is here to stay.

Keeping with the theme of change, William, 42, introduced his latest staff member to the world on Wednesday, 18 September. He has welcomed Sqn Ldr Mike Reynolds into his Royal team, as a replacement for Cmdr Rob Dixon, who is returning to the Royal Navy after four years of working for the Prince. Sqn Ldr Reynolds will take over as William's Royal equerry, according to The Sun.

Sqn Ldr Mike Reynolds
Sqn Ldr Mike Reynolds (far right) has joined Prince William's team

The role is essentially a personal assistant to a Royal Family member, assisting with official duties and everyday tasks. Duties can range from greeting guests at the palace entrance to managing private affairs, as well as working behind the scenes to ensure all operations run smoothly in the Royal's life.

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While the role differs largely from the role of an RAF pilot, it still demands huge commitment and the ability to effectively manage a busy schedule. The exact salary for the position remains unknown, but last year the Ministry of Defence spent over £500,000 on the salaries of all the Royal Family's equerries.

Sqn Ldr Reynolds is currently on secondment from the RAF. Much like William, he is an experience helicopter pilot and they also share another similarity - both men sport a striking beard now.

This new staff appointment comes after Prince William admitted he would "love to fly again", having previously stepped back from his roles as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot and an East Anglia Air Ambulance pilot to allow him to solely focus on his Royal duties.

William previously worked as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot and an East Anglia Air Ambulance pilot
William previously worked as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot and an East Anglia Air Ambulance pilot -Credit: Oli Scarff/WPA Pool/REX/Shutterstock

During a visit to the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters, he admitted: "I can't stop talking about helicopters and medical kits and all sorts. I'm sorry I take ages waffling about it. I miss it all. I'm quite keen to stay a bit longer."

However, it looks like William has passed down his passion for aviation to his eldest son, Prince George, 11. The future monarch had his first flying lesson over the summer. George was seen having a blast during his first lesson at White Waltham Airfield, with his parents, William and Kate, 42, watching on with pride. Witnesses at the scene shared with The Sun that Prince George took to the air with an instructor and absolutely "loved" every minute of it.