On parade for RAF heroes, the Fab Four
THE royal Fab Four were out in their finery yesterday to celebrate the Royal Air Force centenary.
Princes William and Harry cut a dashing sight in their No 1 RAF uniforms, complete with medals, as they strode into Westminster Abbey with immaculately polished shoes.
They were accompanied by a smiling Meghan and Kate, who were both making their own salute to style.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s outfit – a pale blue dress by Alexander McQueen and matching hat by Sean Barrett – echoed the traditional colour of the RAF.
She was also proudly wearing a Dacre Brooch, presented to her by the Air Cadets when she took on the patronage in 2015.
The Duchess of Sussex, meanwhile, looked striking in black. Her Dior dress, with its A-line skirt and bateau neckline, was reminiscent of her showstopping Givenchy wedding gown. She completed her outfit with an eyecatching hat by royal milliner Stephen Jones.
The foursome were joined by the Queen, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and 2,200 other guests for the special service at Westminster Abbey in London.
Her Majesty wore a diamond star brooch, perhaps in reference to the RAF motto, ‘per ardua ad astra’ – ‘through adversity to the stars’.
The Royal Family then gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Place for the biggest display of mil- itary aircraft in recent memory roar overhead – including the largestever formation of 22 Typhoon jets which spelled out ‘100’ in the sky.
They also watched a parade of over 1,000 personnel and a feu de joie – a ceremonial rifle salute.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte may not have been in prime position on the balcony, but that did not stop them enjoying the thrilling flypast – as they peeked out a window at Buckingham Palace under the watchful eye of their nanny, Maria Borrallo.
Cheeky Charlotte, three, was a spectacle of her own as she made elder brother George, four, laugh by making faces on the glass.
The Queen, whose father King George VI served with the RAF, spoke yesterday of her pride not only as the RAF’s Air Commodorein-Chief, but also as a citizen who remembered the Battle of Britain.
Presenting the RAF with a new Queen’s Colour, 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.’
Puma and Chinook helicopters began the flypast, followed by aircraft including a Lancaster, Spitfires, Hurricanes, the A400M Atlas, Tornados and three new F-35 stealth fighter jets.
Drawing the display to a close were the Red Arrows, who in traditional aerobatic style streamed red, white and blue smoke down the length of the Mall.
At a reception later on, the Duke of Cambridge – president of the Football Association – urged Edinburgh-born veteran John Heatherill, 95, to support England in the World Cup despite his Scottish roots.
However, it was a particularly busy day for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – as by the evening they had touched down in Ireland on a private jet for their first official foreign tour as a couple.
The Sussexes are set to cram ten public engagements over just 24 hours. By the time they had landed in Dublin, Meghan had already changed her outfit – to emerald green, naturally.