Kate Middleton first received an overview of the work at the station, including recent overseas operations to Poland in support of NATO. There will also be a moment for celebration: the station was recently awarded the ‘Stainforth Trophy’ in recognition of excellence on operational activities.
The Princess also learned more about the station’s role as a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) fighter station. QRA is the Royal Air Force’s 24/7 mission to protect UK airspace. When airspace controllers detect a potential threat or an unidentified aircraft, they trigger an alert, prompting pilots and ground crews at RAF Coningsby to quickly prepare Typhoons for interception. The Princess was given an opportunity to view one of these vital aircraft up close and visit the high-tech training facilities which pilots use to hone their skills.
Much of the visit was spent speakign to military personnel from across the station
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The Princess was given an opportunity to meet members of personnel, including junior aviators and representatives from RAF Coningsby’s Welfare Team, in a nod to Her Royal Highness’s long-standing advocacy for mental health services. She went on to spend time thanking family members of serving personnel, in recognition of the personal sacrifices made to support their loved ones in their duty.
The visit was also important on a personal level as Kate Middleton has deep family ties to the RAF: her paternal grandfather, Peter Middleton, served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War.