Prince William and Kate get summer holiday off to a flying start at world's largest military air show

The Prince and Princess of Wales, together with Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, eight and Prince Louis, five, toured the Royal International Air Tattoo, staged at at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, on Friday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. Picture date: Friday July 14, 2023.
Image: The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoyed a family day out at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire
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William and Kate got the school holidays off to a flying start by taking their children on a family day out to the world's largest military air show.

The Prince and Princess of Wales accompanied Prince George, nine; Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) on Friday for a day of jets, helicopters and historic planes.

The family-of-five were greeted by grey skies and downpours as they arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for the event.

However the weather didn't appear to dampen their spirits, with William and Kate pictured smiling as they were met by Wing Commander Will Essex.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. Picture date: Friday July 14, 2023.
Image: The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoyed a family day out at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire

It was the second time Prince George - who will celebrate his 10th birthday next Saturday, 22 July - was taken to the air show.

He was aged just two on his first visit in 2016, when he was pictured wearing blue ear defenders as he sat in a Red Arrow Hawk cockpit.

All three siblings are now enjoying their summer holidays after the term ended at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where they all attend.

The family's first stop was a huge C-17 transporter aircraft, which was used to carry the late Queen's coffin ahead of her funeral last September.

They shook hands with senior members of the RAF before they were escorted up the ramp of the transport plane with their parents.

The Princess of Wales with Prince Louis during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. Picture date: Friday July 14, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Wales. Photo credit should read: Chris Jackson/PA Wire
The Princess of Wales meeting winners of the Road to RIAT national schools competition during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. Picture date: Friday July 14, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Wales. Photo credit should read: Chris Jackson/PA Wire
Image: The Princess of Wales meeting winners of the Road to RIAT national schools competition
The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on a C-17 aircraft during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. Picture date: Friday July 14, 2023.

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George was given the task of partially raising the ramp and could be seen pressing the button as his father proudly looked on.

Kate also met winners of the Road to RIAT national schools competition, which saw thousands of creative young people working in groups to design a sustainable plane.

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