A job well done': The Duke of Cambridge makes surprise appearance at Commonwealth Games wrap party to thank 1,500 workers who helped make Glasgow event the 'best ever'

The Duke of Cambridge thanked everyone who helped make the 2014 Commonwealth Games the ‘best ever’ when he made a surprise appearance at a wrap party in Glasgow this evening.

Prince William was the surprise guest of honour at the reception for around 1,500 people who helped deliver the 2014 Games.

He took to the stage at the event in Glasgow's Merchant Square to tell guests that it was a 'huge honour' to join them in celebrating a 'job well done'.

Referring to his visit to the Games with the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, he said: 'When Katherine, Harry and I visited last week we saw the slogan People Make Glasgow. It was written all over the city.

'You epitomise that slogan in the way that you ran the Games - with professionalism and great care, allowing the Games' friendliness to shine through.

'These were undoubtedly the best ever Commonwealth Games in history and you guys made it that way. You have helped to deliver a triumph.'

He also thanked Games staff on behalf of the Queen, adding: 'It meant an awful lot to the Queen that the Commonwealth Games, which are so dear to her, were in safe hands.

'Thank you for your dedication, your professionalism and most importantly for all you've done for the Commonwealth Games.

'I know that the people of Glasgow and the country thank you also.'

During the wrap party, the prince took time to chat with hundreds of people in attendance, including Tim Love, venue manager at Ibrox during the Games.

Mr Love said: 'Prince William asked what the secret to the success of the Games was, and to be honest I said it was more to do with the spectators.

David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, told those gathered they had 'created history'.

He said: 'We set out to be trustworthy, we were trusted. We set out to raise the bar, we certainly raised it - I think we raised the roof. We set out to win together, we did it all along the way.

'We delivered. We delivered to plan and we delivered beyond our expectations.' 

Prince William's outing comes following the announcement that he will begin training next month for a new job as an air ambulance pilot.

Kensington Palace formally confirmed today that the future king will fly emergency helicopters for the East Anglian Air Ambulance for at least two years from next spring following a six month conversion course.

In doing so he will be the first direct heir to the throne to become an ordinary PAYE company employee.

While the air ambulance service is a charity, its pilots come from Bond Air Services, a private company with whom the prince will sign his employment contract. 

That means he will be liable to pay income tax and national insurance. On his estimated £40,000-year a salary, William will pay tax of around £6,000 and national insurance contributions of £3,845.

However, the palace said he will donate his post-tax salary – estimated to be in the region of £30,155 per year - in full to an as yet undisclosed charity.

A spokesman for William – who quit his previous role as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot last September - described his new role as a 'one of the finest forms of public service'.

'He is hugely motivated by the idea of being able to help people in difficult and challenging situations. The air ambulance service does truly outstanding work and the Duke of Cambridge wants to make his own contribution to it,' he said.

DAILY MAIL