The Princess of Wales visited RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire last year where she shared her youngest son’s dream of becoming a fighter pilot
The Princess of Wales has let slip an endearing detail about her youngest son, Prince Louis, and his ambitions for when he grows up. Kate paid a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire in October last year, marking her first trip to the base as its Royal Honorary Air Commodore. The princess experienced a loop-the-loop in an RAF Typhoon jet simulator as she met with pilots serving on the front line of Britain’s air defences.
During her time there, she spoke openly about her three children, particularly her son Louis, who is celebrating his eighth birthday today, and his big plans for his future.
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Touching down at the RAF base by helicopter, she kicked off her visit with a private briefing from Group Captain Paul O’Grady and Warrant Officer Nikki Nolan.
Kate was briefed on the base’s role in Operation Shader in the Middle East and Operation Eastern Sentry, which is working to strengthen NATO’s presence along its Eastern flank amid heightened tensions with Russia.
The Princess of Wales then headed to the Quick Reaction Alert hangar to take a closer look at a Typhoon alongside one of its pilots, Wing Commander Luke ‘Wilko’ Wilkinson. She appeared thoroughly absorbed by the impressive technology as he walked her through the military hardware, including missiles mounted beneath the wings.
Kate then made her way up the steps for a closer inspection of the cockpit controls, seemingly reassuring her guide that her heels would prove no obstacle. While looking inside, the Princess of Wales made the frank revelation about Louis, revealing that he is eager to become a fighter pilot, though she noted: “I’m going to tell them (her children) it takes eight years and a lot of hard work.”
A team member handed her three model Typhoons for her children and remarked: “Somebody told us that your children were very excited about you seeing a plane.” Kate responded: “They’ll be very upset that I’ve seen a Typhoon without them.”
Throughout her visit, Kate made her way to the Typhoon Future Synthetic Training Facility, where instructor Geraint White invited her to climb inside the cutting-edge simulator. “Would you like a go?” he enquired, to which she answered: “Yes, I’d love to.”
Once inside, she mentioned she had never used a simulator to fly a plane before, though had experienced one designed to train helicopter pilots. Yet the princess appeared to adapt to her simulated flight effortlessly and seemed to relish her virtual ascent from RAF Coningsby sufficiently to execute the aerobatic manoeuvre.
Speaking afterwards, Group Captain Paul O’Grady said: “She seems to be a natural pilot so we might have to get her qualified and get her flying a Typhoon, if she’s up for it.” The future Queen’s visit to the RAF base marked her first since becoming Royal Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Coningsby in August 2023.
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