Prince William jokes with Tom Cruise about his shoes after the royal family wore velvet loafers depicting airplanes during their last meeting
Prince William jokingly recalled his stylish fashion choice from the 2022 premiere of Top Gun: Maverick with Tom Cruise last night.
The Prince of Wales, 41, returned to public appearances yesterday at a glitzy gala dinner in support of London's Air Ambulance Charity at Raffles London at the OWO (Old War Office).
Adding glamor to the evening was Hollywood star Tom Cruise, 61, who has been a long-time supporter of the charity, and when he spotted the actor, William joked: 'I'm not wearing my Top Gun slippers.'
The father of three referenced his playful fashion choice at the 2022 premiere of Top Gun: Maverick — a pair of black loafers decorated with airplanes, reminiscent of the fighter plane used in the original 1986 action film.
The stylish slippers marked a departure for William, who typically plays it safe when it comes to his fashion choices.
The Prince of Wales last night joked with Hollywood star Tom Cruise about his stylish fashion choice from the Top Gun: Maverick 2022 premiere. “I'm not wearing my Top Gun slippers,” he recalled
William's slippers cost £300 and were custom made by Crockett & Jones, the desirable shoemaker with the royal warrant.
The royal family shifted its focus from family matters following Kate's hospitalization for serious abdominal surgery and King Charles' shock cancer diagnosis to undertake a day of engagements, with an investiture at Windsor Castle, followed by the charity fundraising event.
Elsewhere in the evening, Prince William thanked the nation for its “kind expressions of support” for his wife and father.
In a speech, the Prince of Wales said the heartfelt words of comfort his family received “mean a lot to us all.”
It was a particularly busy day for the prince – who is now the monarchy's most prominent public figure – as he presented more than 50 awards on behalf of the king.
The monarch is recovering at Sandringham after his first cancer treatment and Kate is home after abdominal surgery.
As he entered the room, the Prince of Wales said he “hugely appreciates everyone's kindness” as he spoke out for the first time since the shock news that the King has been diagnosed with cancer.
The Prince of Wales – who served as an air ambulance pilot in East Anglia – has been a patron of the organization since 2020.
Prince William looked dapper in a tuxedo as he arrived at London's Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner
In 2022, William arrived at the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick wearing a pair of black loafers decorated with a small plane, reminiscent of the fighter plane used in the original 1986 action film.
Hollywood star Tom laughed as Wills joked about the last time they met – when he was wearing Top Gun slippers
In a speech, William, who has been keen to focus on his father's news in recent days, told his audience: 'I would like to take this opportunity to also say thank you for the kind words of support extended to Catherine. and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a lot to all of us.
'It is fair to say that the past few weeks have had a rather 'medical' focus. So I thought I'd join an air ambulance service to get away from it all!'
There was also a jab at Cruise, known for his daring high-flying movie stunts, as the royal said: 'Here in London the current planes have done a splendid job. But our capital needs a new fleet.
'And we are against time. The clue is actually in the name of the profession. By September we need the two new red birds – equipped with the latest equipment such as night vision goggles – in our skies.
“I must also take this opportunity to mention my – our – fellow pilot, Tom Cruise. Tom, thank you so much for supporting us tonight.
Prince William cut a dapper figure at the 2022 premiere in a blue velvet evening jacket, tuxedo pants and playful airplane slippers, next to a very chic Kate
William was introduced to some VIP guests, including Sister Sledge, by reality star Mark-Francis Vandelli, a member of the charity committee
William spoke at a glittering gala dinner in support of the London Air Ambulance Charity at Raffles London at the OWO (Old War Office)
To distract William from the royal family's woes there was some A-list Hollywood glitter in the form of global superstar Tom Cruise
“And if you wouldn't mind not borrowing any of the new helicopters for the next Mission: Impossible, that would be appreciated.
“We've all seen on our screens that – how should I put it – you seem to have a different view of 'normal wear and tear' than the rest of us.
“It's not the kind that polishes, that's for sure.”
However, it was only a brief moment in the spotlight for William, who will now return to Windsor to care for his family with the King's blessing.
The prince cleared his diary after the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital on January 16 for what was only described as an 'abdominal operation'. She had to stay in hospital for two weeks and will not resume her public duties until after Easter.
It is unlikely that the heir to the throne will now appear in public for at least another ten days.
The Top Gun star's presence was particularly fitting given that the gala is in support of the London Air Ambulance, of which Cruise is remarkably an existing supporter.
Looking dapper in a black tuxedo jacket and bow tie, he arrived at Ruffle's new London hotspot, Raffles London in Horseguards Avenue, at 7.20pm.
Jonathan Jenkins, CEO of London's Air Ambulance Charity, thanked the Prince for being with us at such a difficult time, saying: “I think I speak for everyone in the London Air Ambulance family, and everyone else in this room who we send you at this particular moment our love, our best wishes and our support to you and your family and especially to His Royal Highness [meaning the King].'
He added that they were “an enormous privilege to have His Royal Highness as Patron, not because he is a senior member of the Royal Family, not because he is next in line to the throne, but because he represents us is one of us. Prince William is a former air ambulance pilot. So he gets what we do. And that is extremely important and powerful for us as a service. '
Singer Debbie Sledge told the Mail she told the prince she was praying for his father, the king.
'I had no intention of doing that and I haven't met His Majesty or any of the Royal Family before, but I felt so strongly that I should. They are good people,” she said.
“My heart goes out to them all.”