CAMILLA Parker-Bowles visited the Cornwall Air Ambulance headquarters on Monday to officially name the new helicopter.

The AW169 helicopter, which went into service on 1 April, is named ‘The Duchess of Cornwall’ after Camilla, who is the charity’s patron.

At the airbase in Newquay, the Duchess was introduced to the aircrew and a team of staff and volunteers who were part of the New Heli Appeal, the public fundraising campaign which raised over £2.7 million to help bring the new aircraft to Cornwall.

In a nod to the unusal circumstances of the ceremony during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Duchess unveiled the name of the aircraft by removing a giant face mask from the nose cone. The helicopter was officially blessed by the Bishop of Truro, The Right Reverend Philip Mounstephen.

Paula Martin, chief executive of Cornwall Air Ambulance, said: ’It was an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to officially name the new helicopter. The people of Cornwall and beyond worked tirelessly to fundraise for this incredible new air ambulance and it has been a very special year for the charity to see it come into service.

’The Duchess was at Royal Cornwall Show when we launched the appeal two years ago, so it’s great to welcome her back to see the fantastic result of everyone’s hard work and learn about the difference this new aircraft is already making to critically ill people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.’

Camilla was also introduced to six-year-old Leya Raper, a former patient of the air ambulance, who was flown to hospital as a baby with severe breathing difficulties. The youngster has spent lockdown making bracelets to fundraise for the lifesaving charity and has so far raised over £1,000.