Live updates

National

Prince William in documentary as Search and Rescue sold off

The television series that documents Prince William's time with the Search and Rescue operations coincides with the news that the service is to be taken away from the RAF and privatised - a move that the prince is believed to have opposed.

ITV News' Royal Editor Tim Ewart reports:

Read more: Government announces that Britain's search and rescue service has been sold off to a US firm for £1.6 billion.

Advertisement

National

Prince William aids in quarry rescue

BBC One Wales have released a short preview video for Helicopter Rescue, the documentary featuring Prince William and the Search and Rescue team at the prince's base at RAF Valley on Anglesey.

The Sea King helicopter
The Sea King helicopter Credit: BBC Wales

The Duke of Cambridge is shown piloting a helicopter on a rescue mission to a slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

One of his crew are winched from the ground after rescuing a boy who had fallen off an old railway bridge onto rocks.

Prince William speaking in the BBC documentary Helicopter Rescue
Prince William speaking in the BBC documentary Helicopter Rescue Credit: BBC Wales

"As captain you're trying to play out the entire rescue, the transit to the rescue and back again in your mind, and pick up any circumstances or problems you can foresee, and try and fix them on the ground before you get airborne," he says in the programme.

The Sea King winches one of the Search and Rescue crew
The Sea King winches one of the Search and Rescue crew Credit: BBC Wales
National

Duke of Cambridge's base could be shut down

The Duke of Cambridge shows his father one of the RAF's distinctive yellow Sea King helicopters at RAF Valley on Anglesey
The Duke of Cambridge shows his father one of the RAF's distinctive yellow Sea King helicopters at RAF Valley on Anglesey Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire

Among the 12 bases from where search and rescue operations are launched is RAF Valley on Anglesey, where the Duke of Cambridge is based.

Under the contracts due to be unveiled tomorrow, the total number of bases is expected to be cut from 12 to10 although it is not clear which bases will be closed.

Assurances have already been given that the Duke will be moved to another part of the military rather than being employed by the firm that is awarded the search and rescue contracts.

Read: Government to announce sell-off of Search and Rescue service

Advertisement

Sweden 'truly sad' at Princess Lilian's death

News of Princess Lilian's death has been prominent in Swedish bulletins. Credit: Sveriges Television (SVT)

Princess Lilian's death has been met with a great deal of sadness in Sweden, where she was a central member of the royal family.

Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt took to Twitter to say: "We feel truly sad for passing away of Princess Lilian. She was a most pleasant and truly wise person. She served her family and Sweden."

Swedish English-language news website The Local described her as "much loved", and "the grand old lady of the Swedish royal family".

Website 'The Local' paid glowing tribute to Princess Lilian. Credit: http://www.thelocal.se/

Lilian's cousin: Princess was 'a credit to Swansea'

Princess Lilian and Prince Bertil had to wait 30 years to get married, as she was divorced. Credit: EBU

Princess Lilian was "a credit to Swansea", her first cousin Barbara Davies, who was also born in the city, told ITV News.

"She had an exciting life. While living in Stockholm, she did have a degree of privacy."

"From my conversations with people in Sweden they were in high praise of her conduct."

Load more updates