Buckle up! Prince George was the perfect (and most adorable!) helicopter passenger alongside Kate Middleton and Prince William on Friday, July 8. The royal family, minus Princess Charlotte, visited England’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 34, took a tour of the world’s largest military show, which features 247 aircraft from 19 countries. The event, called “The Next Generation: Inspiring Innovation,” helps to encourage young people to get involved in the aviation industry.
Prince George, 2, marveled over the gliders — and got a front-row seat! His mum and dad took turns holding him while he was shown the Red Arrow Hawk and Royal Air Force Squirrel helicopters. The couple also met with some of the 1,500 Air Cadets stationed there.
Taking a closer look @rafredarrows Red Arrow Hawk, which will take part in the @airtattoo later pic.twitter.com/HNWlUxbX1G
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 8, 2016
“I’m particularly pleased for the 1,500-plus Air Cadets who’ll be on site either helping us run the air show or taking part in the 75th celebrations, and for the 2,000-plus volunteers who work so hard to make this amazing event happen,” Andy Armstrong, the chief executive of RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises, said. “To have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with us effectively rewards all their efforts with a royal stamp of approval.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George arrive @airtattoo #RIAT2016 pic.twitter.com/Ppujy4Q8vj
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 8, 2016
Taking a closer look at a @RoyalAirForce Squirrel helicopter, which The Duke trained upon @RAFShawburyCC in 2009 pic.twitter.com/Xn1g9ocpeb
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 8, 2016
Princess Charlotte’s big brother looked cute as a button in a white collared shirt and navy shorts while wearing protective headphones. Duchess Kate wore a royal blue knee-length dress and kept her brunette locks down, as Prince William coordinated in a blue jacket and khaki pants.
TRHs meet Air Cadets @airtattoo – The Duchess is Honorary Air Commandant @aircadets #RIAT2016 pic.twitter.com/02ldGpBGPf
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 8, 2016
The afternoon outing was perhaps an extra treat for Prince William. The duke flew some of the helicopters when he trained at RAF Shawbury. He graduated from the Royal Air Force in January 2010.
“The @airtattoo is a fantastic family-orientated event. The Duke and Duchess know that George will enjoy seeing the aircraft up close,” the official Twitter account for Kensington Palace posted on Friday. “Staged in support of @rafcharitable, the spectacular @airtattoo is this year celebrating 75 years of the @aircadets #RIAT2016.”
