Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamkicked off the weekend with a meaningful field trip with their three kids.
On Friday, the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 41, stepped out at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in Gloucestershire, England withPrince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5. The world’s largest military air show draws over 200,000 visitors each July and benefits The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which works to support the air force and engage young people in aviation.
“The family were all looking forward to the trip,” a royal source tells PEOPLE of the unannounced outing, which came as a school vacation treat for the Wales kids. The trio recently completed classes at theLambrook Schooland are likely excited about summer break.
Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images
Kate Middleton chats with Cadets during her visit to the Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
William, Kate and their three kids also poignantly toured the C-17 Globemaster III that flewQueen Elizabeth’s body back to London following her death in Scotland in September 2022. The late Queen died “peacefully” at age 96 on Sept. 8 at her belovedBalmoral Castlein Edinburgh, hours after her doctors announced they were “concerned” for her health.
George, Charlotte and Louis all seemed intrigued as they explored the larger space. George tried his hand at raising a ramp while Louis sweetly sat on a quad — and even gave a wave!
Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Later in the day, the Prince and Princess of Wales posted a group photo with their three kids and RAF personnel — and cracked a joke about the weather!
Prince Louis of Wales waves as he sits inside a vehicle on a C17 plane during a visit to the Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
“A family day out at the@airtattoo- in the wonderful British summer weather ☔️ Great exploring the C-17 and meeting@usairforcecrew,” they captioned theInstagramsnap.
“And congratulations to the brilliant winners of the Road to RIAT competition on designing a sustainable aircraft for the future of the RAF. ✈️”
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis pose with RAF personnel at the Royal International Air Tattoo on July 14.Twitter/KensingtonRoyal
Twitter/KensingtonRoyal
William and Kate’s surprise visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo marks their first time attending as a family of five. The couplelast checked out the air showwith Prince George, then 2 ½, in 2016.
“I imagine his father has told him about helicopters, so he knew what that was called and kept saying, ‘tail rotor.’ It was good to see his technical knowledge! Some training going on early!” Flight Lieutenant Jim Hobkirk told PEOPLE at the time.
Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton sit in a helicopter at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July 2016.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
The Wales family is set to celebrate a special occasion next week — Prince George’s 10th birthday on July 22. Sources tell PEOPLE in this week’sexclusive cover storythat the young prince is coming into his own in the royal spotlight.
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Prince George of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
“He’s a cracking lad,” a close family friend tells PEOPLE.
source: people.com
