Prince of Wales tries out a VR headset while visiting an RAF base in Lincolnshire

The Prince of Wales granted the request of a little boy and gave him a hug, and promised to put his picture on the royal fridge.

William found himself hugged, posing for selfies and was even quizzed about who he wanted to win I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

The future king chatted to a group of military families from the base and when three-year-old Blake Fearnley presented him with a picture of Mickey Mouse, his mother Laura Fearnley, 33, said the royal took it and said ‘he would put it on his fridge’.

Mrs Fearnley said about her son: ‘He walked off and then Blake decided he wanted to ask William for a cuddle so he followed him and said, “Please William may I have a cuddle” and he did.’

His royal hugness! Prince of Wales shares a cuddle with a young royal fan during a visit to RAF Coningsby

The Prince of Wales looked fascinated at virtual reality technology as he tried on a headset this afternoon during his visit to the RAF Coningsby base in Lincolnshire

The Prince of Wales smiles as he meets RAF families during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincoln

William found himself talking football with twins Abi and Steph Boland, who were left ecstatic when he posed for a video selfie with the 10-year-olds, fans of the prince’s beloved Aston Villa team.

Steph Boland said: ‘He said we’ve got a good team and we’ll “have it” next season.’

Corporal Rachael Howes chatted to William when he met RAF personnel from the base involved in sport as he opened the RAF Coningsby new boxing club.

Cpl Howes, who plays in the Coningsby’s women’s team, put the prince on the spot about the reality show I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! when she said: ‘I asked him who he wanted to win, Lioness Jill Scott or his relative Mike Tindall.’

The prince smiled and was overheard saying: ‘That’s a tricky one,’ but diplomatically did not pick a winner.

The Prince of Wales, 40, arrived at RAF Coningsby to learn about the work that goes into keeping Typhoon jets in the air before officially opening the club.

The father-of-three, who served as a pilot with the Search and Rescue Force after training at the Royal Air Force college, was greeted by group captain Billy Cooper as he arrived at the Lincolnshire base upon arrival. 

The concentration on William’s face was noticable as he tried to navigate the technology of the VR headset

Heir he is! Young royal fans were excited to see Prince William visiting, and one even asked the Prince of Wales for a cuddle 

The Prince of Wales shakes hands with a member of a RAF family who had come out to greet the visiting royal 

In echoes of his mother Princess Diana’ he was seen crouching down so he could chat to children and shared a hug with a little boy who was wearing cheerful yellow bear ears for Children In Need. 

William, who is honorary air commandant of RAF Coningsby, was also due to spend time in the Air Traffic Control Centre during today’s visit.

There, he learned about Project Marshall, a multi-billion-pound equipment upgrade programme of air traffic control radar services across Lincolnshire.

On display were new technologies used by ground crews from exoskeletons to virtual reality headsets, which allow the maintenance of Typhoon jets, flown by two Typhoon squadrons based at RAF Coningsby, to be carried out more efficiently.

He was seen trying out a VR headset which helps staff to assess issues with planes using an advanced display. 

The Prince of Wales reacts during a visit of the new Boxing Club as part of a tour of the Royal Air Force base, RAF Coningsby

The Prince of Wales chatted to staff at the RAF base as he learnt about new technologies being pioneered

The Prince of Wales (pictured) arrived at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire this afternoon where he is due to open a boxing club

On arrival the Prince of Wales was greeted by station commander Billy Cooper (right) who will show him around

The Prince of Wales arrived at the RAF base by helicopter where he will later be shown around and will open a boxing club

The Prince of Wales (left) looked dapper in a suit as he was led through the RAF base, of which he is honorary air commandant

The Prince also visited and officially opened the new RAF Coningsby Boxing Club situated in the heart of the base. 

Earlier this week, Prince William was forced to defend his title as Prince of Wales when acting legend Michael sheen took him to task on Twitter.

The actor criticised the royal over his message of support to the England football team as he handed out shirts to players, despite being Prince of Wales.

Posting on Twitter, Sheen said: ‘He can, of course, support whoever he likes and as President of the FA his role makes [the] visit understandable. 

‘But surely he sees holding the title Prince of Wales at the same time is entirely inappropriate? Not a shred of embarrassment? Or sensitivity to the problem here?’ 

The Prince of Wales talks during a visit to officially open the new Boxing Club during a visit to RAF Coningsby

The Prince of Wales chatted to Armed Forces personnel from the base involved in sport as he opened the RAF Coningsby new boxing club

However on a visit to Cardiff, William hit back at the criticism and clarified his position over who he will be supporting in the 2022 World Cup.

William then hit back at Sheen, telling reporters on a visit to Cardiff that he would be supporting both England and Wales.

He said: ‘I support both. I support England more in the football, but Wales in the rugby. When I was growing up Wales didn’t get through to the tournaments but I will be supporting them all the way through the process.

‘Getting to the World Cup is a big deal and I’ll be supporting Wales through the process.’