Prince William returned to his old RAF base in Anglesey today in what will be an especially sentimental visit on the eve of his and Kate's 15th wedding anniversary. On Tuesday, the Prince of Wales, 43, carried out an official engagement at RAF Valley in Holyhead, where he was stationed as a Sea King Search and Rescue pilot between 2010 and 2013.
His then-girlfriend Kate 'ruled out a long-distance relationship' and decided to move to Anglesey with William, with royal author Robert Jobson revealing they rented a house together for £750. William's trip to Wales comes ahead of the future King and Queen's milestone anniversary tomorrow, after they exchanged vows on April 29, 2011.
Royal visit to RAF Valley
This morning, William donned his military uniform and attended the airbase's 85th anniversary celebrations in his role as Royal Honorary Air Commodore. The heir to the throne watched and inspected the parade, and presented the Prince of Wales award in recognition of the best Qualified Flying Instructor.
During his time at RAF Valley, William also spoke to female personnel to hear more about their day-to-day life, which reflects his ongoing interest in the welfare of women serving in the Armed Forces. The prince became Royal Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Valley in August 2023, after taking over the role from his father, now King Charles. It followed his time serving as a search and rescue pilot while living with Kate in Anglesey.
Life in Anglesey
While William was yet to propose to his college sweetheart, Kate was set against being in a long-distance relationship and decided they should move in together, which was a first for a royal couple. They rented a cottage on the estate of country home Bodorgan Hall, where Kate spent her time working as a website designer and photographer for her family's party-planning business.
Writing in the princess's biography, Mr Jobson claimed William described it as an 'immensely special place for us both'. The secluded location meant the young couple could live relatively normal lives. Kate enjoyed cooking and baking, and she and William often ventured to the local pub together. Unlike most royals living in the spotlight, Kate even did weekly shopping trips to Waitrose and Morrisons.
After tying the knot at Westminster Abbey in 2011, the royal couple returned to Anglesey with their cocker spaniel Lupo, a wedding present from Kate's brother James Middleton. He lived to spend time with all three of the couple's children but passed away in 2020. Prince George spent his very early life living in Anglesey, until the family eventually moved in 2013 to Kensington Palace. They moved into Adelaide Cottage in 2022 before relocating to Forest Lodge in Great Windsor Park last November.
William's visit to Anglesey marks the first time William has returned to RAF Valley since July 2024. Describing the official outing as 'a bit of nostalgia', William looked right at home as he toured the familiar airbase and met personnel from across the unit to hear more about their work and day-to-day life.
William also shared a heartfelt moment with his former flying instructor Captain Brian Wills. After spotting him, William said warmly: 'I thought you might be here today, you hang around like a bad smell!' The pair then had a warm chat, where the Captain thanked William for sending him a bottle of whisky and a card to mark his 50th birthday in 2022. 'Not at all,' the prince said.
King Charles in Washington
It comes as King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Washington DC on Monday for a historic state visit amid strained transatlantic ties. The King, 77, and Queen, 78, caught up with US President and First Lady, Donald and Melania Trump, over a cup of Earl Grey tea before hosting a lavish garden party on the first day of their peacemaking visit.
The monarch will today deliver a historic address to Congress amid pressure to meet with Jeffrey Epstein's victims - which the royals have declined to do. Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid the probe into Epstein files. During his speech to Congress, Charles is expected to emphasise the two countries' long history and shared democratic values during his speech in an effort to help strengthen the special UK-US relationship, which has been under serious strain in recent months.
After the royal couple wraps up in DC, they will head to New York to honour 9/11 victims and then to Virginia to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
