On July 14, 2023, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) with their three children at RAF Fairford. Prince William served with the RAF’s Search and Rescue Force for over three years, based at RAF Valley in Anglesey. He is currently the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Coningsby. Princess Catherine also holds an honorary position as Air Commodore of the Air Cadets. In 2015, Catherine took over as Patron of The Air Cadet Organization from The Duke of Edinburgh, marking her first royal role with an official link to the armed forces.
The Royal International Air Tattoo is the world’s largest military air show. The event benefits The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which supports the air force and engages young people in aviation. During the visit, the Princess met with cadets in the Techno Zone, which aims to inspire young people to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math and consider careers in engineering, aviation, and aerospace. She also met with the winners of the Road to RIAT competition, which challenged students from 300 schools across the U.K. to design a sustainable aircraft for the future of the RAF.
The family also toured the C-17 Globemaster III, the aircraft that flew Queen Elizabeth’s body back to London following her death in Scotland in September 2022.
On July 15, 2023, The Princess of Wales attended Wimbledon for the Women’s Singles Final, where Czech Marketa Vondrousova took on Tunisian Ons Jabeur. Before taking her seat in the Royal Box, Catherine met with individuals who had various roles throughout Wimbledon. The princess also met representatives from the British Army, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police. Following the match, she presented the trophy to Markéta Vondroušová. Catherine also met with Ons Jabeur, and a sweet moment occurred when they shared a hug. Jabeur talked about the moment during her press conference. “She didn’t know if she wants to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me. That was a very nice moment and she’s always nice to me.”
GALLERY LINKS:
– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > JJuly 14 | The Wales Family Visits Air Tattoo At RAF Fairford
– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > July 15 | Wimbledon – Day 13
