Prince William has agreed to become Patron of the SAS Regimental Association, offering royal support to Britain's elite special forces. The Prince privately agreed to the role in recent meetings, according to military sources.
The SAS Regimental Association (SASRA) is a registered charity that has cared for serving and former members of the secretive unit, based in Hereford, since its formation in 1945. The association's motto is that no member or widow is ever turned away if the problem is genuine.
Military sources described the Prince as a huge supporter of the SAS, expressing pride in representing the unit and ensuring the achievements of its soldiers are remembered. This marks the first time a royal has directly become patron of the SAS Association, although Princess Anne is patron of the Special Forces Club.
The SAS's most famous modern operation was the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London, where a 17-minute assault rescued hostages and killed five attackers. The operation cemented the regiment's reputation as world-class counter-terrorism troops.
