We’ll never forget your tenacity, skill and gallantry
THE Queen paid tribute to Battle of Britain pilots yesterday as she celebrated a centenary of service by the Royal Air Force.
Wearing a royal blue silk coat and matching dress, she presented a new Queen’s Colour to the RAF in a ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, then congratulated the force for a “remarkable contribution to defence” in the 100 years since its formation.
She said: “Tenacity, skill and gallantry have been your hallmarks as you helped safeguard freedom and security in many parts of the world. I remember the Battle of Britain being fought over the skies above us and we shall never forget the courage and sacrifice of that time.”
Celebrations began with a service at Westminster Abbey, attended by Prime Minister Theresa May, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Uniform
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby called the RAF a “decisive factor in saving this country’s independence, its democracy and its freedom, its hope of civilisation and its contribution to humanity”.
He also referred to his father, who flew low-level sorties in Burma.
Prince Charles and sons William and Harry were in No 1 RAF uniform, while the Duchess of Cambridge wore her diamond and ruby Dacre Brooch, given by the Air Cadets in 2015 when she became their patron, and the highest honour for a female cadet.
Kate wore a pale blue Alexander McQueen coat dress, while the Duchess of Sussex opted for an elegant black Dior dress. The service was followed by an RAF parade of more than 1,300 down The Mall before the royals moved to Buckingham Palace’s balcony to watch a flypast.
The nine-minute display featured planes from Spitfires to the newest F-35 stealth fighters and included 22 Typhoon jets flying in formation to spell out the number 100.
Around 70,000 people applauded as the Red Arrows streamed red, white and blue smoke down The Mall.
Ex-RAF policeman Malcolm Evans, of Birmingham, said: “It brought tears to my eyes.” And Diana Terpougoff, from Malta, said: “Both my dad and brother Tony were in the RAF for 25 years so it makes this really special.”
RAF head Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said the flypast, “commemorating all of our history and celebrating what we do today” – would also send a pointed world message.
He said: “We are sending a bit of a strategic message...we remain one of world’s leading air forces, deployed on operations in 23 countries, able to project that power and influence wherever it is required in the world.”
The Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged on April 1, 1918 to create the RAF, the world’s first independent air service.
For those who missed yesterday’s display, there will be another chance to see aircraft including Chinook helicopters, Spitfires and the Red Arrows take to the sky at this year’s Festival of Flight at London Biggin Hill Airport on August 18 and 19.
WHEN it comes to laying on a spectacular pageant, no other country can match the UK. And so it proved yesterday during the celebrations marking the RAF’s 100th year. We and they have much to be proud of: the RAF have had a remarkable history and have served to protect the people of this country for a century now. Long may they endure.
And let them send a message to the EU as we move towards Brexit: we are more than capable of looking after ourselves on our own.
Nowhere else in the EU would we witness such spectacular pageantry, no other country can boast such a remarkable air force.
We are all proud of the RAF and everything they stand for. They are truly the best of British and provide a message that we have all to play for now.