On the evening of 3 May The Air League held its Annual Reception at St James’s Palace, London, where a number of individuals and organisations were recognised for their remarkable achievements, with a series of awards presented by The Air League Patron HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The Air League’s most prestigious award (very seldom presented) – The Founder’s Medal – was awarded to Major Tim Peake for his remarkable exploits in Space, noting that he was the first Briton to walk in Space.

Major Peake, who is currently circling the Earth aboard the International Space Station and due to return on 18 June, was unable to be present at the event but in a surprise phone call, listened to by the 350 guests, Tim called down and spoke to Prince Philip and The Air League Chairman Christopher Walkinshaw, thanking them for this medal in recognition of his achievement. The Founder’s Medal was accepted from Prince Philip on Tim’s behalf by his parents Nigel and Angela Peake.