Kate Middleton and Prince William have got back to work and visited the Air Cadets on the Queen’s birthday to honour Prince Philip.
It is their first royal engagement since the 99-year-old Duke’s death, and comes on the Queen’s 95th birthday.
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Prince Philip was royal patron of RAF Air Cadets for 63 years.
He handed the role down to Kate who became an honorary air commander in 2015.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited 282 (East Ham) Squadron, Air Training Corps in East London to hear more about how it supports young people to develop vital life skills.
During the visit, the Squadron paid tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh with a Three Cheers Salute.
William and Kate looked like they enjoyed their visit, laughing with the cadets, while still wearing muted tones to mourn Prince Philip.
It comes as:
- Prince Harry misses the Queen’s 95th birthday and lands back in LA
- Prince Andrew security scare as woman arrested wandering around grounds days after Philip’s funeral
- We pay tribute to our longest-serving monarch with 95 special moments of Majesty
- ‘Normal mum’ Kate Middleton spotted shopping with George & Charlotte – who had a strict pocket money budget
The Duke and Duchess chatted with a group of serving RAF officers who were all previously cadets.
They heard how taking part in the Air Cadets and its core activities, including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, helped them with their careers.
The engagement was specially chosen to honour the Duke – and comes as Harry flew back to Los Angeles.
It had been hoped Prince Harry would stay for the Queen’s birthday but amid reported attempts to patch things up with his brother and father, he has already landed back in the US.
The Queen is expected to have a private and low-key birthday.
A solo image of the Queen was released to mark the event – which is tinged with sadness at the absence of the Duke.
She issued a personal message thanking the nation for support and kindness following Prince Philip’s death.
The pandemic meant the Queen’s official birthday celebration known as Trooping the Colour, normally staged in June, has been cancelled for a second year running.
Harry flew to Los Angeles on an American Airlines flight from London, which arrived at LAX shortly after 1.30pm local time on Tuesday.
His black 4×4 was seen leaving the airport’s private terminal minutes after the plane landed and was spotted again arriving in Montecito at around 4pm.
The royal’s return follows two-hour peace talks with his elder brother and father, after the funeral of Philip on Saturday – but is now back with pregnant Meghan Markle in LA.
The Queen has not celebrated her birthday in the usual fashion for two years now.
Last summer, a Covid-safe event dubbed “mini Trooping” was staged at Windsor Castle, and Buckingham Palace has said options for an “alternative parade” were being considered at the Queen’s Berkshire home.
Members of the Royal Family have been supporting her throughout the mourning period, with some expected to visit her at Windsor Castle today.
Her special day falls within the two-week period of royal mourning for the Duke of Edinburgh, which is being observed until Friday.
It has emerged the Royals have agreed on a rota to visit as the monarch grieves the death of her husband of more than 70 years.
Princess Anne and Sophie Wessex were reported to be among the Queen’s first visitors ahead of her birthday today.
Her Majesty will also be visited by her son Andrew, granddaughter Eugenie and her newborn son August in the coming days.
