July 29, 2016 10.34 am This story is over 99 months old

Prince Edward visits RAF Cranwell to celebrate officer graduation

His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, has visited RAF Cranwell to witness the graduation of officers at the base on Thursday, July 28. Before the review, families, friends and guests were treated to a fly-past by a Typhoon from No. 12 Squadron at Royal Air Force Marham. Chief of Defence Staff, Air…

His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, has visited RAF Cranwell to witness the graduation of officers at the base on Thursday, July 28.

Before the review, families, friends and guests were treated to a fly-past by a Typhoon from No. 12 Squadron at Royal Air Force Marham.

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach who attended the parade said: “It is always a great honour to have a new sovereign’s colour presented but to have two presented together is a very special event.”

After reviewing the graduating officers on parade, His Royal Highness presented new sovereign’s colours to the Royal Air Force College and to the Central Flying School.

Commandant of the Central Flying School, Group Captain Fin Monahan said: “This is a great recognition of the importance of the work which we undertake in training aircrew from all three of the United Kingdom’s armed services and we are most grateful to His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex for presenting the colour on such an auspicious occasion”.

The parade concluded with a Typhoon fly-past from 29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby.

Commandant of the Royal Air Force College, Air Commodore Chris Luck, said: “This day is all the more special as we receive our new Queen’s Colours for the College and the Central Flying School.

“This is a unique occasion of which all participants can be justifiably proud.”

In keeping with tradition, His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, was then invited to plant a lime tree beside the Queen’s Walk in a ceremony attended by service personnel and their families.