William and Kate arriving with Harry and Meghan.
It was a surprise appearance for the Duchess, following Prince Louis' christening at the Chapel Royal yesterday.
In December 2015, the Duke of Edinburgh passed his patronage of the RAF Air Cadets to Kate, after 63 years serving as Air Commodore-in-Chief. It seemed incredibly fitting for Kate to be there today, both as a member of the Royal family with an official RAF role and also as a RAF wife.
Prince William is the fourth successive generation of the monarchy to become an RAF pilot. He received his RAF wings from his father at RAF Cranwell in April 2008 after completing an intensive 12 week flying course. During William's time with the RAF, the Cambridges spent several years in Wales.
Her Majesty was also accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal and other Members of the Royal Family.
The Royal Air Force - the world’s first independent air force - was founded on 1 April 1918, independent of the British Army and Royal Navy. For one hundred years the RAF has defended the skies of Britain, preventing conflicts, delivering aid and combating cyber threats while working in partnership with other Services, from Operation Ruman - the UK’s humanitarian assistance operation in the aftermath of hurricane Irma which hit the Caribbean in September 2017, to the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon Aircraft, providing a UK air defence capability 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Following victory over the Central Powers in 1918 the RAF emerged as, at the time, the largest air force in the world. Since its formation, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history. In particular, it played a large part in the Second World War where it fought its most famous campaign, the Battle of Britain. The RAF describe its mission statement as "An agile, adaptable and capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission" Today the RAF is engaged on some 13 missions across 26 countries and is heavily committed on operations both at home and abroad.
Today we honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
We honour those engaged in missions at home and abroad today, often separated from their families for long periods of time.
The royals greeted RAF personnel.
The RAF Guard of Honour outside Westminster Abbey this morning.
The royals take their seats.
Reading the Order of Service.
Did you know Westminster Abbey has a chapel dedicated to members of the RAF? At the eastern end of the magnificent Lady Chapel built by King Henry VII is a chapel dedicated to the men of the Royal Air Force who died in the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940. This chapel received damage from bombs which fell in that year and a hole made in the stonework has been preserved and covered with glass. The Tudor glass in the window had also been blown out at the same time.
In 1922 a stained glass window was unveiled in Westminster Abbey to members of the Royal Flying Corps who died during the war. The theme of the window is flying men and wings, illustrated by passages from the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel. The inscription reads: To the glory of God and in proud and thankful memory of those members of the British Royal Flying Corps who fell in the Great War 1914-18.
Wing Commander Nikki Thomas, the first ever female RAF Tornado bomber squadron commander, read the poem High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr. “Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings...”
Mark Hunt, an Engineer Officer in the RAF for over 20 years, read from The Birth of the Royal Air Force by Richard Overy. “No other fighting power established an independent air force during the war”
You can view the Order of Service here.
The Duke and Duchess departing.
To mark its centenary year, special events, activities and other initiatives at local, regional and national levels will run until the end of September.
The royals then watched the "Presentation of Colours" - a ceremony where a regimental unit is given new flags.
During her speech, the Queen said "I remember the Battle of Britain being fought in the skies above us, and we shall never forget the courage and sacrifice of that time."
William and Kate watched the ceremonial events and listened to the Queen's speech.
The centrepiece of RAF100 was a magnificent flypast.
Up to 100 jets, helicopters and aeroplanes soared above London for the rare military celebration. The royals assembled on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to view the outstanding display.
A closer look at Kate on the balcony.
Spectacular scenes.
The Evening Standard reports: "The flypast will consist of up to 100 different aircraft of 23 different types, with nearly 200 aircrew from 25 different RAF squadrons. The lightest aircraft will be the 120 TP Prefect at a maximum take-off weight of 1,440kg, and the heaviest will be the C-17 Globemaster III at 265,350kg. The largest aircraft taking part is set to be the Voyager at a length of 58.82 metres and with a wingspan of 60.3 metres. The Typhoon FGR4 is the fastest with a top speed of Mach 1.8, with the slowest being the helicopters."
William and Kate enjoying the flypast.
George and Charlotte were spotted peeking through a window with Nanny Maria Teresa :)
A video with excellent footage of the royals and the flypast.
The RAF100 Appeal is a joint venture between the Royal Air Force and four major RAF charities. The aim of the Appeal is to raise money for the RAF Family and to create a lasting legacy as they celebrate 100 years of the Royal Air Force. The Appeal forms part of the wider RAF100 initiative that seeks to commemorate the achievements of the RAF and all those who have served while at the same time celebrating the vital contribution that the RAF continues to make, and inspire both the public and the RAF Family as they look forward to the next 100 years. If you would like to support the appeal please click here.
It seems fitting to include a quote from the historic speech made by Prime Minister Winston Churchill on 20 August 1940, referring to the ongoing efforts of the Royal Air Force crews who were at the time fighting the Battle of Britain.
The Duchess accessorised with her Air Cadets Dacre Brooch. The brooch is considered the highest award any female Air Cadet can achieve.
The Duchess sported a hat by milliner Sean Barrett. Mr Barrett's creations featured on Downton Abbey and The Crown. We can also see she wore the Queen's teardrop earrings. Kate's worn them on numerous occasions in recent years.
The Duchess wore her Gianvito Rossi Praline pumps.
And it appears Kate's clutch is by McQueen.
We should see the christening portraits at some point this week, it's also possible the Duchess will attend Wimbledon!
