By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-15 17:35:15 | Updated at 2025-01-15 19:37:03
2 hours ago
Prince William surprised day drinkers as he popped in for a pint at Wetherspoons on his way back from an official engagement this afternoon.
The future king was spotted in the Birmingham New Street Station branch of the popular pub chain after appearing at an event to mark his new role as Patron of the College of Paramedics.
He was apparently keen to speak to Aston Villa fans like himself, with the team playing Everton tonight, and sipped a pint of cider.
He bought a round of beers for eight Villa fans and sipped a pint of Bulmers cider, staying for around half an hour before catching a train back to London.
Steve Jones, 56, Villa fan for last 35 years, said: 'We were contacted by the club saying Prince William wanted to meet a delegation of Villa fans as he was in Birmingham as he wanted to keep in the loop with everything going on at Villa.
'He was fantastic. I was quite amazed about how engaged he was with the club, his interest. He's not a fair weather fan. He really loves the club with a passion.
'We spoke about the club, the transfers, the pending Champions League trip to Monaco, and all things Aston Villa. He asked many questions - he's got a good level of interest.
'It was 95 per cent chat about Villa as that's out shared interest but a bit about his family. Young George is a Villa fan but he didn't want all three to be Villa fans.
Prince William surprised day drinkers as he popped in for a pint at Wetherspoons on his way back from an official engagement this afternoon
'He was massively interested and seemed a really genuine guy and all he wanted to do is talk about Villa.
'He said he was hopeful about beating Everton tonight and would be watching but was wary about new manager syndrome, or rather old manager syndrome.'
Earlier at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre he was sent best wishes for his wife, Catherine, as he chatted to paramedics about issues including training, drones and hospital waiting times.
Among them was Ed Griffiths, who served as a Search and Rescue Paramedic with William at RAF Valley in Anglesey when the prince was a search and rescue pilot.
William patted him on the shoulder and shared a joke before adding: 'Last time I saw you was on a beach.'
Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer at the College of Paramedics, said: 'I want to say how delighted we are to hear about the Royal Highness and send her our best wishes.' William nodded his head.
It comes after the Princess of Wales yesterday revealed that her cancer was in remission.
William asked Jess Rousen, a paramedic and nurse who has worked in Wales for 27 years, 'how is morale?'
The future king was spotted in the Birmingham New Street Station branch of the popular pub chain after appearing at an event to mark his new role as Patron of the College of Paramedics
William was apparently keen to speak to Aston Villa fans like himself, with the team playing Everton tonight, and sipped a pint of cider
The Prince bought a round of beers for eight Villa fans and sipped a pint of Bulmers cider, staying for around half an hour before catching a train back to London
Prince William looked dapper in a black slim-fit coat and opted for a smart matching black suit, a crisp white shirt, a navy blue tie and brown suede loafers
The talk is dedicated to supporting emergency responders in making effective decisions under pressure
Jess described how 'morale was low' as some hospitals were 'flooded'. She said some paramedics finish a shift and return 12 hours later only to be back with the same patient. She added: 'But it is what it is.'
Gary Clarke, a paramedic from Belfast, told William that full hospitals are having a major impact on patients and paramedics. He said the amount of time they have to spend with patients has increased.
He said: 'It's not great. A lot of patients are having to wait so you have to build a rapport with patients in the ambulance.'
William replied: 'It's difficult because you want to get them to hospital as soon as possible.'
Gary said that backlogs worsened after Covid but says the College of Paramedics helps 'you deal with what you are going through' and 'having that back up if it's needed'.
Jean Cragg, a first responder for 43 years in the East Midlands, told William: 'When I hear my colleagues all talk about waiting times it's very difficult for everybody but there is no real quick fix available.'
Speaking to a new recruit who had spent less than a year as a paramedic, William said: 'It's an exciting journey you are on.'
Claire Fitchett, Specialist Paramedic at Hampshire and Isle of Wight, told the prince 'being a paramedic can be a lonely place to work' and said it was good that so many paramedics were together at the conference.
During his visit, William smiled and chatted to various paramedics from different areas of the UK
William was also seen shaking hands with search and rescue paramedic, Edward Griffiths
Prince William is pictured beginning his new job with the East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2015
She also told William that paramedics were harnessing new technology. She told him they are investigating using drones to fly automated external defibrillators (AEDs) from the mainland to Isle of Wight by drones.
William added: 'We still need people on the ground so still be in a job for a while.'
And he asked if there were any figures on whether the amounts of people who wanted to train as a paramedic had risen or fallen after Covid.
William was in Birmingham ahead of tonight's clash between Aston Villa and Everton.
When he arrived at the BCEC and greeted his hosts he said: 'I'll be watching the game and keeping an eye on what's going on.'
Taking to the stage, the prince made another reference to the game, saying: 'It's great to be back in Birmingham, and for any fellow Villa fans with us today – I look forward to celebrating our win over Everton later…'
Turning to his new role he said: 'I am so pleased to be standing here as the College of Paramedics' new Patron and to have the opportunity to join your first ever Emergency and Critical Care conference.
'Often referred to as the 'Swiss Army Knife' of frontline healthcare, paramedics and those in the emergency services are adaptable, multi-skilled and crucially, know how to work under pressure.
Prince William is seen smiling during the inaugural Emergency and Critical Care Conference
He was seen listening and nodding intently while a woman from the Cymru High Acuity Response Unit explained what her job entailed, saying that she often goes to the 'worst of the worst' situations
The royal, 42, has returned to royal duties after it was announced that he was being made Patron of the College of Paramedics
'This pressure is something I was all too familiar with during my time as a pilot for RAF Search and Rescue and for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
'My time in these roles allowed me to better understand the day-to-day challenges that you all face and gave me the lifelong motivation to do all I can to support your community. It is not just another job.
'Every day provides unpredictable challenges. Every shout is a journey into the unknown. Every split second decision, has immeasurable impact on so many people.'
He also referred to his and Catherine's visit to Southport in the autumn as part of his Royal Foundation's work with the Blue Light Card Foundation, providing emergency responders with psychological support.
'Speaking to the paramedics and other frontline care providers on that day, was another reminder of the horrors you can be met with, but also the vital job that you do,' he said.
'Saving lives is not the only challenge you face. In your role, you are there for people in the most critical and emotional moments, having to display care and skill in highly stressful and often distressing circumstances.
Prince William was snapped listening to responders speak about their jobs and what they face everyday
The Prince of Wales, patron of the College of Paramedics, greets Dr. Halden Hutchinson-Bazely
'Working alongside you in Wales and East Anglia I know the team effort that is required to provide emergency health care, but I also know that at the beginning it is sometimes a lone paramedic.
'In a car, on a bike, in a helicopter, in an ambulance, on foot. Your ability to calm the patient, to listen to their fears, to reassure them that help has arrived, is as important as the subsequent medical intervention.
'But as you know all too well, this can lead to burnout and a significant impact on your mental wellbeing.
'And with the role of the paramedic ever evolving – expanding into research, leadership and academic domains - there is increasingly pressure upon your shoulders.
'So as well as doing what you do best in the care of others, it is vital that you are also there for yourselves and for each other. In particular, supporting paramedic students coming through the ranks, to ensure a strong, capable workforce for years to come.'
He concluded: 'We will never forget your unwavering and brave work during that period. I am so proud to become Patron of an organisation which is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics and fostering an environment where all paramedics can thrive.
'In this country, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our emergency services. As paramedics in whatever guise, your work uniquely places tremendous demands upon you and I cannot thank you enough for all that you do.
The College of Paramedics was established in 2001 and is a membership organisation open to all UK paramedics registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and student paramedics.
It has more than 20,000 members improving professional standards, learning and development, and taking care of paramedics' mental health and wellbeing.
In February last year, the College was granted the Royal Charter of Incorporation by the King.
Prince William's speech in full
Thank you Tracy and good afternoon everybody.
It's great to be back in Birmingham, and for any fellow Villa fans with us today – I look forward to celebrating our win over Everton later… I am particularly pleased to be standing here as the College of Paramedics' new Patron and to have the opportunity to join your first ever Emergency and Critical Care conference.
Thank you to everyone who has made this event possible. Often referred to as the 'Swiss Army Knife' of frontline healthcare, paramedics and those in the emergency services are adaptable, multiskilled and crucially, know how to work under pressure. This pressure is something I was all too familiar with during my time as a pilot for RAF Search and Rescue and for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Both Hutch and Ed just characterised this experience so well in their sessions. My time in these roles allowed me to better understand the day-to-day challenges that you all face and gave me the lifelong motivation to do all I can to support your community. It is not just another job.
Every day provides unpredictable challenges. Every shout is a journey into the unknown. Every split second decision, has immeasurable impact on so many people. Catherine and I visited Southport in the autumn as part of The Royal Foundation's work with the Blue Light Card Foundation, providing emergency responders with psychological support.
Speaking to the paramedics and other frontline care providers on that day, was another reminder of the horrors you can be met with, but also the vital job that you do. Saving lives is not the only challenge you face.
In your role, you are there for people in the most critical and emotional moments, having to display care and skill in highly stressful and often distressing circumstances. Working alongside you in Wales and East Anglia I know the team effort that is required to provide emergency health care, but I also know that at the beginning it is sometimes a lone paramedic.
In a car, on a bike, in a helicopter, in an ambulance, on foot. Your ability to calm the patient, to listen to their fears, to reassure them that help has arrived, is as important as the subsequent medical intervention. But as you know all too well, this can lead to burnout and a significant impact on your mental wellbeing.
And with the role of the paramedic ever evolving – expanding into research, leadership and academic domains - there is increasingly pressure placed upon your shoulders. So as well as doing what you do best in the care of others, it is vital that you are also there for yourselves and for each other. In particular, supporting paramedic students coming through the ranks, to ensure a strong, capable workforce for years to come.
The working life of the members of your College span a considerable period of time. I am aware that many of you will have been on the frontline during the fight against COVID. When Chris Bell, a paramedic with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended that first COVID patient in the U.K., he and we, had no idea of the significance of that moment. A further demonstration of the unknown you face on every call, every day.
You and your NHS colleagues undertook remarkable work in the most testing of circumstances. We will never forget your unwavering and brave work during that period.
I am so proud to become Patron of an organisation which is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics and fostering an environment where all paramedics can thrive. In this country, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our emergency services.
As paramedics in whatever guise, your work uniquely places tremendous demands upon you and I cannot thank you enough for all that you do. Thank you.
