Two schoolboys from Twickenham helped to marshal a Royal Airforce plane carrying Prime Minster Theresa May.
Twickenham School students Sam Newbold and Jack Brown helped to guide the RAF Voyager A330 after it landed at Heathrow Airport on December 22, 2017.
The boys said the Prime Minster, who was returning from a trip to Cyprus, personally thanked them for getting her back on British soil safely.
Sam, 13, said: “It was a very proud moment for me. My dad knew it was her plane but we didn’t know she would be on it. When she walked down the steps it was really amazing.
“She looked over at us and nodded a thank you, smiled and then waved at us.
Jack, also 13, said: “It was a real once in a lifetime moment. It is unlikely you are ever going to do something like help land the Prime Minister's plane again.
“I felt really privileged to be in that situation because it felt like a place where only a select few people are allowed to be.”
The unique opportunity came while doing work experience at the airport, where Sam’s dad Simon Newbold, 45, works, during the Christmas Holidays.
The £12m RAF Voyager was converted from a military plane to a VIP passenger-carrier by former Prime Minster David Cameron.
It is known as the British version of the American Air Force One plane which carries US presidents.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here