Kate Middleton and Prince William’s First Royal Engagement Since Funeral Has Special Tie To Prince Philip
Kate Middleton and Prince William unexpectedly returned to their official royal duties following Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday. The couple visited the 282 (East Ham) Squadron Air Training Corps in East London on Wednesday, which is also The Queen’s 95th birthday, to learn how the Air Cadets help develop life skills for young people. Their visit was extra meaningful since Prince William’s late grandfather, The Duke of Edinburgh, served as Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corp for 63 years. In 2015, Prince Philip gave his military patronage to Kate, who became Honorary Air Commandant. The royals spoke to cadets who are getting ready for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which is a young development program that Prince Philip was responsible for. Kate even joined the awards when she was just a student at Marlborough College. [gallery_id value=624638 post_id=624638] Kate was photographed sitting in a flight simulator as Prince William held her purse. [caption id="attachment_624617" align="alignnone" width="554"]
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing black as a mark of respect following the death of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and a face covering to combat the spread of Covid-19, sits in a flight simulator during their visit to 282 (East Ham) Squadron Air Training Corps in east London on April 21, 2021. (Photo by IAN VOGLER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)[/caption] Their visit ended with the Squadron taking part in a Three Cheers Salute in honor of Prince Philip, who first earned his Royal Air Force wings in 1953. [gallery_id value=624021 post_id=624021] Prince William joined the procession on Saturday for his grandfather’s funeral. Princess Anne and Prince Charles led the way, followed by Prince Edward and Prince Andrew. Prince Harry and Prince William followed with Peter Philips, Princess Anne’s eldest child walking in between the brothers. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said regarding the procession that it was “a practical change rather than sending a signal. This is a funeral and we are not going to be drawn into perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty’s wishes.” Access Hollywood’s podcast “The Vault” features decades worth of A-list interviews and never-before-heard moments with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Listen now!