Princess Kate Reveals Why Her Kids Are a Bit Jealous of Her: ‘The Boys, Particularly'
On October 2, Kate Middleton visited RAF Coningsby for the first time since becoming Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the base. Her jam-packed schedule involved checking out a Typhoon aircraft, meeting Quick Reaction Alert members, and touring the Typhoon Future Synthetic Training facility. During the visit, she joked that her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, were jealous and 'very sad' that they could not join her.
After arriving an hour late due to poor weather, the Princess of Wales wasted no time mingling with over 700 families that lived around the base. During the meeting, she joked with ten-year-old Robin Sasum that her children envied missing out on her latest outing. "My children were very sad. The boys, particularly." Sasum’s stepmum, Jo Sweeney, a business support officer at RAF Coningsby, told HELLO!, "She [Middleton] was saying that Louis fancies becoming a pilot." The Princess reportedly also said, "I'm going to tell them it takes eight years and a lot of hard work."
A Quick Reaction Alert personnel also asked Middleton: "Somebody told us that your children were very excited about you seeing a plane." Middleton laughed and admitted, "They’ll be very upset that I’ve seen a Typhoon without them." Soon after, instructor Geraint White invited her to step inside a flight simulator. Reflecting on the conversation, Group Captain Paul O’Grady later said, "She seems to be a natural pilot, so we might have to get her qualified and get her flying a Typhoon, if she’s up for it."
Both Prince William and Middleton share a personal connection to the Royal Air Force, as the Prince served with the RAF before becoming a full-time working royal in 2017. Meanwhile, Middleton's late grandfather, Captain Peter Middleton, was an RAF pilot and reportedly even served as the late Prince Philip’s co-pilot during a South American tour in 1962.
Keen to pass on the passion, in July 2023, the Prince and Princess of Wales took George, Charlotte, and Louis to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to witness the world’s largest military air show. A royal source told PEOPLE at the time, "The family were all looking forward to the trip."
As for her recent visit to RAF Coningsby, Middleton met with the base's welfare team, discussing the various challenges they face. Her interactions were marked by curious interest and a calm demeanor, showcasing her commitment to supporting the RAF community. For the occasion, she was dressed in a tailored gray plaid suit by Bella Freud.