A royal opening for EAAA’s new base
East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) had some very royal visitors last week to open its new operating base
East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) had some very royal visitors last week to open its new operating base, the Egerton-Smith Centre. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh came along to open the new site, which is based at Cambridge Airport.
After being met by the Lord Lieutenant Sir Hugh Duberly, the royal party was shown around the new facility. EAAA pilot Captain William Wales, who is also known as the Duke of Cambridge and is the royal couple’s grandson, showed the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh the H145 aircraft that he flies for the charity. They then met some of the charity’s volunteers, patients, crew and support staff before the Queen unveiled a plaque to formally open the new facility.
“We are truly delighted and honoured that Her Majesty the Queen and [His Royal Highness] the Duke of Edinburgh visited the EAAA base today to formally open the Egerton-Smith Centre,” said Major General Sir William Cubitt, EAAA chairman. “It has been a truly wonderful and memorable day and one that our staff, volunteers and patients will treasure.”
The Egerton-Smith Centre is named after the charity’s founder and president Andrew Egerton-Smith MBE. The new base offers improved energy efficiency and insulation, resulting in reduced running costs.