On December 20, 2025, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, officially accepted the role of patron for the Special Air Service Regimental Association (SASRA), marking a significant moment in the storied relationship between the royal family and the United Kingdom’s elite military forces. For many within the SAS community, the news was met with delight and a sense of renewed morale, as the prince’s involvement is seen as both a royal endorsement and a nod to the enduring values of courage, resilience, and camaraderie that define the Special Air Service.
Prince William’s patronage was confirmed in a newsletter circulated to SASRA’s 5,000-strong membership, a group comprising both serving members and veterans of the SAS. The association, established in 1945 after the original unit’s disbandment following World War II, has long prided itself on its unwavering support for its members. As the charity itself states, “No member or member’s widow is ever turned away if the problem is a genuine one.” According to BBC and several other outlets, the chairperson of the association expressed “delight” at the announcement, highlighting the significance of having a senior royal as patron for the first time in the organization’s history.
In his message to the association, Prince William did not hold back his admiration for the SAS. “It is with a deep sense of honour and respect that I accept your invitation to become patron of the Special Air Service Regimental Association,” he wrote, as reported by BBC, Daily Mail, and other sources. “The SAS has long stood as a symbol of courage, resilience and unwavering dedication to duty and the service of this country. The association continues that camaraderie forged on the battlefield and provides essential support to its members and families.”
William’s connection to the SAS is not new. He first visited Stirling Lines, the headquarters of the 22 SAS Regiment in Credenhill, Herefordshire, as a young boy, and later spent several months with the regiment as a young officer. Over the years, he has maintained regular contact with the SAS community, even attending private memorials and funerals, such as that of Major Mike Sadler—the last surviving member of the original wartime SAS—who passed away in 2024 at the age of 103, according to The Sun and Mirror.
Prince William’s military credentials are well established. After completing his officer training at Sandhurst, he served more than seven years in the armed forces. His career included time as a British Army officer, attachments to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and culminated in his role as a search and rescue helicopter pilot at RAF Valley in Anglesey, a position he held until 2013. As a senior royal, William is affiliated with several military regiments across all three branches of the armed forces, including serving as Royal Colonel of the Welsh Guards and Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
In his message to the SASRA, William pledged to help ensure “the sacrifices and achievements of SAS members past and present are recognised.” He also looked ahead, promising to work alongside the association so that “the bonds of fellowship which define the SAS and its sister organisations around the world continue to thrive for generations to come.” His words resonated deeply within the special forces community, where the sense of brotherhood and mutual support is paramount.
The timing of the announcement, just ahead of the holiday season, provided an opportunity for William to extend his well wishes to the SAS family. “At this special time of year, I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year,” he wrote. “May the festive season bring comfort, joy and renewed strength to all within the SAS family.” According to National World and BANG Showbiz, this personal touch was warmly received by members, many of whom regard the prince’s involvement as a morale boost during a time of year that can be especially challenging for those with military backgrounds.
The SASRA’s mission extends beyond camaraderie. The association provides essential support, including financial assistance, to members and their families in need. Its heritage is steeped in history, with its roots tracing back to the original SAS unit formed during World War II. The SAS’s most famous operation in recent memory was the dramatic storming of the Iranian embassy in London in May 1980, an event that played out on live television and cemented the regiment’s reputation as one of the world’s most elite and feared special forces.
William’s new role is not only a continuation of his personal relationship with the armed forces but also a reflection of the royal family’s broader tradition of military service. His father, King Charles, currently serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, a role William is expected to inherit in the future. Meanwhile, his brother, Prince Harry, also has a distinguished military background, having served ten years in the Army and completed two tours in Afghanistan.
In addition to his new patronage, Prince William has been active in promoting remembrance and empathy among younger generations. Last month, he appeared in a video message encouraging students to wear a poppy on Armistice Day. “Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect; it is a reminder that Remembrance is for everyone,” he said, as reported by BANG Showbiz. “When we remember, we connect with a service in a personal way. We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward, so they are not forgotten. It’s not just about the past – it’s about shaping who we become in the future.”
For the SASRA, having Prince William as patron is more than a ceremonial appointment. It is a signal that the sacrifices, achievements, and ongoing needs of special forces personnel and their families remain a priority at the highest levels of British society. The association’s chairperson summed up the collective sentiment in the newsletter: “That enduring relationship continues to this day. I know that we will all recognise the support that Prince William becoming our Patron will provide.”
As the festive season unfolds and the SASRA looks to the future, the presence of the Prince of Wales as patron stands as a testament to the enduring values of service, remembrance, and fellowship that have long defined both the association and the wider special forces community.
