Catherine, The Princess of Wales, was visiting the Royal Naval Air Station in Yeovilton in Somerset today. The Station is one of the busiest military airfields in the UK. The visit came after King Charles III announced new military roles for the members of the Royal Family last month in which Kate was appointed the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm.
The Princess of Wales has arrived @RNASYeovilton @ForcesNews pic.twitter.com/mSWBgxKKe7
— briohny (@justbriohny) September 18, 2023
“It is the second naval honour bestowed on the Princess of Wales, who is already the sponsor of HMS Glasgow, the leading ship of eight new Type 26 frigates design to protect the Fleet and nation from the prying eyes – and teeth – of hostile submarines.“It is the second naval honour bestowed on the Princess of Wales, who is already the sponsor of HMS Glasgow, the leading ship of eight new Type 26 frigates design to protect the Fleet and nation from the prying eyes – and teeth – of hostile submarines.“
RNAS Yeovilton is one of the Navy’s two principal air bases and is home to more than 100 aircraft operated on both front-line squadrons and training units, including the Fleet Air Arm Wildcat Force and the Commando Helicopter Force, plus vintage aircraft of the RN Historic Flight. The base is located near Yeovil in Somerset and covers around 1,400 acres with the main airfield in Yeovilton itself and the satellite at Ilton (Merryfield).
“King Charles went to the air station for helicopter flying training in 1974. At present, more than 4,000 personnel are employed on the site, which is home to a number of front line squadrons and training units“.
Catherine took over the role of the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm last month. The position was last held by The Duke of York and has been vacated since his military ranks were taken away few years ago.
The Fleet Air Arm is the aviation branch of the Royal Navy, delivering airpower in support of operations and projecting the UK’s influence over land, air and sea. The FAA operates all the Royal Navy’s aircraft. A vital element for many of the wide and varied roles undertaken by the Royal Navy, FAA roles range from humanitarian operations, through to securing the seas, fighting terrorism and landing troops onto hostile shores.
About the visit and activities, Kensignton Palace said, “. Her Royal Highness will firstly meet Royal Navy Survival Equipment (SE) Technicians who provide specialist training and equipment to protect and enhance the Fleet Air Arm’s aviation operations. This ranges from daily support to aircrew including flotation equipment, helmets, and clothing. During this, The Princess will also conduct training exercises with SE technicians. The Princess will then meet servicemen and women and view two helicopters. The first helicopter is the Merlin MK4, which is deployed by Royal Marine Commandos globally to provide disaster relief. Secondly, Her Royal Highness will see the Merlin MK2 -an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) platform which is used for a variety of activities including tracking submarines, supporting disaster relief operations and providing training ifor the next generation of engineers and aircrew. Finally, Her Royal Highness will go to the Wildcat Training Centre, to meet the loading team who are trained to fit a variety of weapons to the Wildcat MK2 helicopter. Following this, The Princess will have the opportunity to fly a Wildcat MK2 in a simulator which allows aircrew to practice flying over Land or on to ships.”
The engagement came as her husband, The Prince of Wales, was onboard a flight to New York where he will be participating in the Earthshot Prize summit tomorrow. The Princess of Wales was looking smart in a familiar look when she landed at the Air Station in the Royal Family Helicopter.
During the visit, Catherine, The Princess of Wales, was shown around the air station and she met with the crew of the air traffic control tower (ATC). The ATC team is responsible for ensuring the safe, operational and training output of RNAS Yeovilton. The Princess of Wales was introduced to the staff of Vision Control Position and aircraft operational activities. Kate also conducted training exercises in a hangar with survival equipment technicians.
— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) September 18, 2023
“While visiting an aircraft hangar, Kate fell about laughing while trying on an emergency lifejacket and inflating it as she wore it around her neck. As she pulled on the toggle, she closed her eyes and winced as the device inflated quickly and with force, just as it would in an emergency situation. Appearing a little taken aback by the fast inflation, Princess Kate burst into a fit of giggles, before staff aided her in removing the lifejacket.
Elsewhere in her visit, she chatted with personnel in the air traffic control tower, before having the opportunity to trial the flight simulator”.
Daily Mail
The Royal Family has a long standing relationship with all forms of Army in Britain. The engagements such as this highlights the important work the Army is doing on a day-to-day basis which are usually not appreciated by the public at large.
Who said Heels and Helicopters don’t go hand in hand!!!
Louise Evans-Hughes, a leading survival equipment technician, said she knew exactly what was going to happen the moment the lifejacket inflated.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “I told the princess there might be a bit of a bang because sometimes when the Velcro rips open there is a bit of a noise.
The 32-year-old servicewoman, who is originally from Bath, said Kate was the first member of the royal family she had met. “The princess was really engaged, really excited and asking loads of questions, which is quite nice,” she said.
“For me, every day that you become a bit immune to what you do. It’s nice to be remembered and some of the things that you’re doing.”
BBC News
What Kate Middleton wore to the Royal Naval Air Station
- Holland Cooper Double Breasted Blazer – (Repeat – Debuted in May 2021)
- White top – (Unidentified)
- Blue Trousers – (Unidentified)
- Anderson Belt – (Repeat – Debuted in October 2020)
- Kiki McDonough Citrine Earrings – (Repeat – Debuted in 2013) with Gold hoops
- Gianvito Rossi Piper pumps – (Repeat – March 2019)
Heading towards, What The Princess of Wales wore to visit the Royal naval Air Station Yeovilton – Catherine chose what we can call her new signature work outfit. Kate has a habit of finding what works for her the best, and then sticking to it until she finds something new. The Royal and Fashion community has different opinions on that approach – some call it a never-failing safe bet while others label it as boring.
For the day, Catherine was wearing her Holland Cooper Double Breasted Blazer that we first saw in May 2021.
This time Kate paired it with UFO White top and UFO blue trousers.
That she topped with her black Anderson Belt.
She brought back her Gianvito Rossi Piper pumps debuted in March 2019.
Kate was wearing her Kiki McDonough Citrine Earrings debuted in 2013 with gold hoops that she first wore in Jamaica in March 2022. Thanks to Emma on Twitter for pointing that out.
FWIW, she's not wearing the Kiki earrings with the diamond hoops, but with 'clean' hoops. First photo is from departing Jamaica. Kate did wear them with diamond hoops previously (third photo is from February 2017). But today, fourth photo, she's wearing the Jamaica version. pic.twitter.com/36odqDCj2s
— Emma (@Emma4AboutRoyal) September 18, 2023
Next, we will see Catherine tomorrow when she will visit Streets of Growth in London.
