The Prince and Princess of Wales have honoured the country’s servicemen and women as they commemorated Armed Forces Day. In a video taken two weeks ago during a royal visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, Kate was seen alongside her eldest son Prince George as they met pilots and engineers.
The clip, which was shared to the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Instagram, showed the two examining planes belonging to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at the military air base. The fleet is usually used for aerial displays, and is comprised of an Avro Lancaster heavy bomber and two fighters – a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane.
The Princess of Wales, who has been a Royal Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Coningsby since August 2023, was also seen engaged in conversation with RAF pilots and engineers during the visit. A post on the Waleses’ social media account read: “Honouring Service and Sacrifice. Learning about the extraordinary history of these aircraft and meeting the pilots and engineers who keep their legacy alive. A powerful reminder of the courage, skill and dedication of those who serve, past and present. Thank you to all those who have served and continue to serve.”
National Event in Aldershot Draws 20,000 Attendees
Armed Forces Day is a special day to thank and celebrate the armed forces – extending to serving personnel, veterans and cadets – and to honour those who make up the military community. A national event was held in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Saturday, which leader of Rushmoor Borough Council Gareth Williams said was attended by 20,000 people.
It saw a parade of Armed Forces personnel and military bands from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force. An RAF A400M Atlas aircraft joined a Dakota from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in a flypast, while three military parachute teams – the British Army Red Devils, the Royal Air Force Falcons and the Royal Navy Raiders – dropped into the area.
Bruce Dickinson and Defence Secretary Show Support
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, who attended the event, told the Press Association that he has the “utmost respect” for the military. The singer and honorary RAF Group Captain had taken a break from the band’s world tour to meet with members of the military community at the RAF Odiham base in Hampshire on Friday.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said that the “hugely important” day was a “great opportunity” to thank military personnel. Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said: “Armed Forces Day is about more than a parade or a flypast – it’s about the bond between those who serve and the society they protect. In Aldershot today that bond was on full display, and I’m proud of every service person who took part.”
More Than 230 Events Nationwide
More than 230 Armed Forces Day events are said to have taken place across the country. Next year’s national event will take place in Southport, Merseyside.
