Queen jokes during first public outing of the year
THE Queen has quipped with an airman about whether Typhoon jets have been “sent to chase the Russians” as she marked the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The head of state’s comment was made as she paid tribute to the “skill and sacrifice” of the RAAF during her first public engagement of the year outside Windsor Castle.
During a service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey, the Queen commemorated the 100th anniversary of the RAAF.
In a lighter moment, the Queen quizzed Squadron Leader Matthew Sander about his job as a fighter controller working with Typhoon jets and asked if they had been “sent off to chase the Russians” and was told “That’s correct, ma’am, it’s a lot of fun for us!”
Sending her “best wishes and congratulations” to the RAAF, she wrote in a foreword to the order of service: “As one of the oldest air forces in the world, it is fitting to pay tribute to the efficiency, skill and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in its ranks, in Australia and overseas, during the past 100 years.
“Throughout my reign, the Royal Australian Air Force has shown immense dedication to duty and has defended our freedom in many conflicts around the world.”
As she arrived at the memorial, which she opened in 1953, the Queen highlighted how long it was since she had last been there. She added: “You’ve got a good day for it. It’s a very windy spot normally.”
The ceremony began with a flypast by the Red Arrows, but with white smoke only instead of the familiar red, white and blue. As they do not normally perform at this time of year, their smoke pods are being serviced.
During the service, a wreath was laid on behalf of the Queen by her new equerry, Major Thomas White. More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation in 1921, fighting in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 11,100 losing their lives in service.
The event at Runnymede is the fourth royal engagement the Queen has attended beyond the walls of Windsor Castle since the pandemic began.