August 28, 1972
Prince William of Gloucester was killed earlier today when "his light aircraft crashed in an air race," according to the New York Times, the prince, who was ninth in the line of succession, was 30 years old. He was the elder of two sons of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
His plane, a Piper Cherokee Arrow, crashed on "takeoff from Halfpenny Green Airfield near Wolverhampton. His co-pilot was also killed. The plane had "banked sharply at the end of the runway" to avoid hitting a house, crashing into a "grassy bank and exploded."
One witness said: "it ended up just a mangled burned-out wreck."
Prince William had more than 700 hours of flying experience. He was competing in the Goodyear International Air Trophy race. He was the second member of the British royal family to be killed in an air crash. His uncle, the Duke of Kent, was killed while on active service, on August 25, 1942.
He took up flying when he was a student in the early 1960s.
Several weeks ago, he told a reporter: "Flying is my great relaxation. I used my plane as far as possible as others use their motor cars. It is a safer and a more relaxing way to travel."
Prince William Henry Andrew Frederick was born at Barnet on December 18, 1941, the first of two sons of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. He and his younger brother, Prince Richard, spent most of their childhood at Barnwell in Northamptonshire.
He attended Eton College and Cambridge University, where he received a degree in history in 1963. He also spent a post-graduate year at Stanford University where he "studied economics and political science."
The prince spent several years in the British Diplomatic Service in Lagos, Nigeria, and Tokyo, Japan. In 1970, he resigned from his position to take over "the family's extensive farming interests in Barnwell." This decision was largely based on his father's poor health.
In an interview last year, Prince William said: "When I started working as a diplomat, I really thought it was a situation where I would be judged for myself and not my family. But then I found it wasn't possible, and nothing was ever going to change that."
He acknowledged that his title came in handy. "It's easier to meet people, to get your views listened to, and it helps in booking tables and cashing checks."
Prince William was unmarried. He is survived by his parents and his younger brother, Prince Richard. Just last month, Prince William was the best man at Richard's wedding to Danish-born Birgitte van Deurs.
William's first cousin, Queen Elizabeth II, and her daughter, Princess Anne, canceled their trip to the Olympic Games in Munich. The Queen ordered family mourning, "a more personal gesture," which will last until the funeral.
1 comment:
What changes for Prince Richard due to his brother's death. A day of reflection for the family I am sure. God bless.
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