Prince William’s former flying instructor has passed away aged 47.

Flight Sergeant Zach Stubbings died after battling multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects the bone marrow and plasma cells, for years.

The father of three had spent nine years inhaling toxic exhaust fumes from Sea King helicopters while serving in the RAF.

His passing was revealed by former navy commander Richard Sutton, who told the Times that he died last month after going into a hospice a few weeks earlier.

The two men both worked for the coastguard, carrying out search and rescue in 2015.

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