Wing Commander Bill Simpson, OBE, is a distinguished military and aviation historian, author and veteran speaker with a career spanning more than five decades across defense, diplomacy and storytelling. Born in Poole, Dorset, he served 25 years in the Royal Air Force, where he held a variety of operational and leadership roles, including a two-year command in Northern Ireland overseeing air transport operations. His exceptional service earned him an MBE in 1979 and later an OBE in the 1988 New Year’s Honours List. 

After commanding RAF Stations Hendon and Stanbridge, Bill received the Honorary Freedoms of the London Borough of Barnet (1987), the Town of Leighton Linslade (1988) and the City of London (1994). Transitioning from military life, he built a career in international commerce with postings in India, Russia and the United States, before turning his focus to writing and public speaking. 

His acclaimed biography, The Prince: The Secret Story of the World’s Most Intriguing Royal, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, received international praise. The Washington Times described it as “the best street-smart assessment of the art of diplomacy since Henry Kissinger’s famous work on the same subject.” The book includes forewords by Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher, both of whom recorded video tributes for the launch at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. 

Bill has since authored several historical and contemporary novels, including Sabre of Honour, Code of Honour, To Steal a Throne and The Colonel’s War, praised by readers for their authenticity and engaging narrative style. 

An enrichment and port historian for cruise lines for more than 14 years—with over 100 voyages to his name—Bill’s captivating lectures combine historical insight with humor, music and visual storytelling. In 2017, he was appointed Resident Historian for Viking Ocean, where he continues to share his expertise with travelers around the world.