The Prince and Princess of Wales took Prince George for his first flying lesson in a sweet nod to his great grandfather Prince Philip.

George, who is just 11 years old, is said to have enjoyed his first flight last week on the last day of his school holidays, at the very same airfield where Prince Philip learned to fly. A witness at the airfield in Berkshire said the young prince "loved it" adding "it's the right time to start". His royal parents stood by as they watched the youngster soar into the air and come back to land all in the space of an hour.

The lesson was said to have happened on the last day of the youngster's school summer holiday. An onlooker reportedly said: “George is only 11 years old but it is the right time to start. The Royal Family has a proud tradition of flying and it looks like George is next in line. His parents watched George take flight from the safety of the ground but he flew with an instructor and loved it.”

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The royal couple arrived at White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead, Berkshire in a three-car convoy. It was the same airfield that his late great-grandfather Prince Philip had flown from. He is also following in the footsteps of his father, who is a trained helicopter pilot who flew for RAF Search and Rescue and East Anglia Air Ambulance.

After coming back safely to land, the three of them relaxed at the airfield's clubhouse, which is home to the West London Aero Club. One person there told The Sun: “There were probably 30 or 40 people in the clubhouse. Catherine and William watched George take off. But they were relaxed about it. All three of them had been pretty chilled in the clubhouse.”

Back in May, King Charles handed his son William the role of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps, with him saying: “The great thing is he’s a very good pilot indeed.”