A SEARCH and rescue helicopter from Suffolk’s Wattisham airfield flew above the newly-married royal couple yesterday.

The RAF crew flew overhead in a yellow rescue Sea King helicopter as a special surprise for the bride and groom.

He smiled broadly as he drove his wife, still in her bridal gown, through the Privy Purse.

The helicopter was flown by members of ‘B’ Flight 22 Squadron, of which William is a member.

The captain was Squadron Leader Holly Steel, from Hamilton, New Zealand, who is the Flight Commander of ‘B’ Flight, while her co-pilot was Flight Lieutenant Lee Turner, from Weymouth, Dorset.

Flt Lt Turner, who was awarded the Air Force Cross in March 2009 for his role as captain in the recovery of crew members from the stricken ferry Riverdance off the coast of Blackpool, was William’s Flight Commander during his search and rescue training at RAF Valley in Wales and flew with him many times as one of his principal instructors.

The helicopter’s radar operator was Master Aircrew John Caseley, from Altrincham, Greater Manchester.

The winchman was Sergeant Lee from Wrexham, North Wales.