Kate makes first visit to RAF Coningsby

A woman with brown hair and a grey suit stands next to a man in green overalls. They are looking into the cockpit of a Typhoon fighter jet.The Times/PA

The princess was shown a Typhoon aircraft which provides quick response protection for UK airspace

Eleanor Maslin and Richard Madden
East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Catherine, Princess of Wales performed a loop-the-loop in a flight simulator during her first visit to one of the UK's most important RAF stations.

RAF Coningsby is home to the Typhoon jets that protect the country's airspace. The princess became royal honorary air commodore of the base in 2023.

She met RAF personnel and their families, as well as viewing aircraft and a newly opened training facility.

After stepping into a state-of-the-art Typhoon simulator, Gp Capt Paul O'Grady said: "She seems to be a natural pilot, so we might have to get her qualified in a Typhoon, if she's up for it."

The Princess of Wales laughs as she poses for a photograph with a group of children and puts her arms around them.The Times/PA

The princess is royal honorary air commodore of the base

Catherine arrived in a helicopter at the base and was briefed about recent RAF operations, including supporting Nato in Poland.

She spoke to pilots about their roles and experiences, Kensington Palace said.

The princess was also shown a Typhoon by Wing Cdr Luke Wilkinson, before climbing stairs up to the cockpit.

The Princess of Wales, wearing a grey suit and holding a small bunch of flowers, smiles as she meets a croud of people who are waving flags and taking photographs.The Times/PA

The Princess of Wales greeted crowds at RAF Coningsby

Catherine also met some of the pilots in training, asking about their time at RAF Valley, in Anglesey, where she lived with the Prince of Wales when he was in training.

She then moved on to visit a communal space called the Lounge, where she accepted an offer of a cup of tea and chatted to RAF Coningsby's Welfare Team.

Presenting her with three model Typhoons for her children, one team member said to her: "Somebody told us that your children were very excited about you seeing a plane."

The princess replied: "They'll be very upset that I've seen a Typhoon without them."

The Princess of Wales, wearing a grey suit, sits in a flight simulator cockpit surrounded by large screens and lights. A man with grey hair is visible in the background.The Times/PA

The visit marked Catherine's first visit to the Lincolnshire base

The princess was greeted by dozens of families with small children who cheered and gave her flowers and other keepsakes.

She spent more than half an hour talking to them and told Jo Sweeney and her 10-year-old stepson that her son, Prince Louis, wanted to be a pilot.

One of the girls took a great interest in the RAF brooch Kate was wearing and then her watch, prompting the princess to advise her to ask Father Christmas for one.

When another young girl threw her arms around the princess, Catherine told her: "I love hugs."

A group of four people sit on a brown leather sofa and chairs. Two individuals are in a blue uniform and a woman with brown hair sits between them wearing a grey suit. A table in front of the group has glasses of water, cups, saucers, plates with biscuits, and a red box. A windows and part of a pool table are visible in the background.The Times/PA

Catherine enjoyed a cup of tea with staff at the base and heard about their experiences of serving in the RAF

As a Quick Reaction Alert station, Coningsby provides around the clock protection for UK airspace alongside RAF Lossiemouth.

Jets from Lincolnshire can reach London in under 10 minutes once they are scrambled.

The base is also home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

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