Ever heard of the water salute?
The 23-year-old Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan has really come into his own over the last 18 months. In August, he graduated from the Royal Sandhurst Military Academy, one of the most prestigious military schools in the world.
Weeks later, he showed he was a statesman-in-the-making by leading Jordan’s delegation to the 72nd UN General Assembly. He even addressed world leaders in a stirring speech that touched upon hot button topics of terrorism, refugees and global economic stability.
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Now though, the military man and consummate diplomat just had another major coming-of-age moment which he shared on his Instagram – the completion of his first solo flight.
The short video shows the Crown Prince walking away from a military helicopter after completing his first solo flight.
That also meant it was time for the Prince to be doused in several buckets of water in a ritual called the water saulute executed on all pilots after they complete their first solo flight.
The visibly excited Crown Prince was a good sport as well, and was only too pleased to partake in this ritual.
The Crown Prince is following in the footsteps of his father, King Abdullah II, himself a veteran pilot who is believed to have participated in combat missions too.
There are several other royals from the region who are also pilots. There’s the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who flies his helicopter in the UAE. Incidentally, he underwent his pilot’s training at Sandhurst too.
As for Dubai’s royal family, flying is a passion passed down the generations. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai occasionally flies his own helicopter, while his son, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, regularly choppers around the UAE.
We’re sure that the two crown princes will have many notes to exchange the next time they meet.
Images: Instagram
