Heartbroken widow gets boost from Prince William over cause close to his heart
EXCLUSIVE: A widow has received a heartwarming email from Commander Robert Dixon, Equerry to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, on behalf of William himself.
The widow of a helicopter pilot who died from a rare type of cancer has received a reply to the letter she wrote to Prince William for support in protecting military service personnel from deadly toxins.
Clare Macnaughton, 52, received a response this week from Commander Robert Dixon Royal Navy, Equerry to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, on behalf of William himself.
Mrs Macnaughton's husband Squadron Leader Kai Macnaughton, 53, died just three weeks after being diagnosed with the disease on March 24 last year.
Lawyers believe fumes coming out of helicopters he operated during 30 years of service in the RAF - including the Puma and Chinook - contained benzene carcinogens, which caused his cancer.
In the email to Mrs Macnaughton, Commander Dixon explained that although Prince William wouldn't be able to become personally involved due to his position in the Royal Family, the Prince of Wales hopes that Mrs Macnaughton has access to all the support she needs.
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"I was shocked and touched to receive a reply from Commander Dixon. To be honest, writing had always been a long shot and I didn’t expect an acknowledgement at all," Mrs Macnaughton told the Sunday Express.
"On behalf of Prince William, he thanked me for my email and offered the Prince's most sincere condolences.
"I, of course, understand that there would be a conflict of interest with William's Royal obligations. If I read between the lines, it’s my opinion that as much is being done as is possible from Kensington Palace. At least I know the issue is on their radar now."
Mrs Macnaughton first wrote to the Prince of Wales last month believing that he too could have been exposed to the same toxins while working as a RAF search and rescue pilot on both the Sea King and the Chinook. King Charles also flew the Wessex.
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In her letter to Prince William, the widow from Warminster wrote: "As a pilot of both the Wessex [sic] and the Chinook you have also been exposed. As was His Majesty King Charles when he flew the Wessex and now has cancer.
"I know pilots who have cancer likely due to exposure.
"Kai died of a rare cancer called Angiosarcoma - it killed him in three weeks from diagnosis and came from nowhere.”
Mrs Macnaughton wants greater awareness of the risks, so RAF personnel can make an informed choice about whether to continue their work.
She added: ”I am writing to you to request your support in progressing the urgent matter of protecting existing service personnel.
"Please help us protect and mitigate the risk for current personnel who loyally serve Crown and Country.”
She also wants personal protective equipment (PPE) offered to servicemen and women, in a bid to mitigate exposure to harmful fumes.
A MoD spokesperson said: “We continually review our policies to ensure they are aligned with good practice and protect our people from harm.
“Service personnel and veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to service, from April 6, 2005, have the existing and long-standing right to apply for no-fault compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.”
