Catherine, the Princess of Wales, visits Somerset airfield

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was made commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm last month

The Princess of Wales has visited one of the busiest military airfields in the UK, just weeks after after the King appointed her Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm.

Catherine was shown around Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset - where King Charles had his helicopter flying training in 1974.

She beamed as she tried on a lifejacket as part of a training exercise with survival equipment technicians.

The Princess also spent time in the air traffic control tower where she met staff and spoke to an airborne Wildcat helicopter crew.

The Princess winced and burst out laughing while trying on a lifejacket

While visiting an aircraft hangar, Catherine looked a little apprehensive as she put on the lifejacket and prepared to inflate the device.

After pulling on the toggle she winced as the device quickly inflated before bursting out laughing.

Catherine was also shown a Merlin Mk4 helicopter, deployed by the Royal Marines globally to provide disaster relief, as well as a Merlin MK2, which is used to hunt for submarines.

More than 4,000 personnel are employed on the site, which is home to a number of frontline squadrons and training units.

Catherine met with members of the Royal Navy based in Yeovilton

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.

"I think that was why she was a bit apprehensive to pull it.

"I think afterwards she said it was quite snug and didn't realise how big it was going to go and I quickly let some air out so she wouldn't be uncomfortable."

Elsewhere during her visit, she talked to personnel in the air traffic control tower

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."

Last month, the King appointed Princess Catherine as commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm, a position previously held by Prince Andrew.

The role reaffirms the bond between the Royal Family and the Armed Forces, and will see Catherine as the guest of honour at major ceremonial occasions and events, as well as being kept abreast of developments and actions of the world of naval aviation.

It is the second naval honour bestowed on the Princess, 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 hostile submarines.

The Princess of Wales was invited to sit inside the cockpit of a Merlin Mk2 helicopter

Captain Duncan Thomas, RNAS Yeovilton's commanding officer, said afterwards: "I am delighted and privileged to have welcomed the Princess of Wales to the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, at the start of what I am sure will be a long and rewarding relationship in her capacity as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm.

"We've all been hugely excited by this opportunity and I am delighted that Her Royal Highness will be able to support and inspire our exceptionally talented sailors, air crew and wider workforce family for years to come."

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