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Bill Simpson 96 (D)After graduating from Cranwell Wing Commander Bill Simpson enjoyed a 25-year career in the Royal Air Force and following a 2-year operational tour in Northern Ireland responsible for air transport operations, was awarded an MBE. Bill later commanded RAF Stations Hendon & Stanbridge, tours capped by receipt an OBE in the 1988 New Year's Honours List.Bill also received the Honorary Freedoms of the London Borough of Barnet in 1987, the Town of Leighton Linslade in 1988 and the City of London in 1994 and then embarked on a career in commerce in India, Russia and the USA, before writing his first book %u2018The Prince: The Secret Story of the World%u2019s Most Intriguing Royal, Prince Bandar bin Sultan.%u2019 This biography about the enigmatic Saudi Ambassador to the US required Bill to interview many contemporary political figures, including Presidents George H W Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela, and Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger & Colin Powell.Published with much acclaim in 2006, The Washington Times wrote of Bill's book: \assessment of the art of diplomacy%u2026since Henry Kissinger's famous work on the same subject.\In early 2017, Bill was invited by Viking Ocean to take up the role of Viking Ocean Resident Historian, a position he thoroughly enjoys.