The Duchess of Cambridge has become the patron of the RAF Air Cadets - a role she has taken on from her grandfather-in-law the Duke of Edinburgh.
During an audience at Buckingham Palace, Philip relinquished his role as Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief, bringing to an end his 63-year association with the Air Training Corps.
The event marked Prince Philip’s decision to give Kate Middleton her first royal role with an official link to the armed forces.
It will also mark the first time Kate Middleton has taken over a patronage role from another royal.
Kate is now Honorary Air Commandant of the Air Cadets, her first military-linked appointment.
Kate Middleton beams as Prince Philip passes RAF Air Cadets patronage on to her
The Duke of Edinburgh has given Kate Middleton her first royal role with an official link to the armed forces.
Cadet Sergeant Tommy Dade (far left) and Cadet Sergeant Bronwyn Jacobs (far right) stand with the Duke of Edinburgh as he meets Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadet organisation (centre), at Buckingham Palace as he retired from the post of Air Commodore in Chief Photo: PA
By Agency
16 Dec 2015
The Telegraph
The Duchess of Cambridge has become the patron of the RAF Air Cadets - a role she has taken on from the Duke of Edinburgh.
During an audience at Buckingham Palace, Philip relinquished his role as Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief, bringing to an end his 63-year association with the Air Training Corps.
The event marked Prince Philip’s decision to give Kate Middleton her first royal role with an official link to the armed forces.
It will also mark the first time Kate Middleton has taken over a patronage role from another royal.
Kate is now Honorary Air Commandant of the Air Cadets, her first military-linked appointment.
She represents an organisation of 42,000 air cadets aged from 12 to 19, and 15,000 adult volunteers at more than 1,200 units across the UK and abroad.
Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadets, said after her audience with the Duke: "He is admired and respected by cadets and volunteers alike and we will miss his ready sense of humour and genuine interest in the development of the nation's youth."
Cadet Sergeant Bronwyn Jacobs (centre) stands with the Duke of Edinburgh as he is presented with a gift of a vase from Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadet organisation, (left) at Buckingham Palace in London as he retired from the post of Air Commodore in Chief Photo: PA
Speaking about Kate, whose husband William served as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, she said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge has agreed to be our patron.
"Her links to the RAF family are already well-established and her desire to support youth development is well-recognised around the world.
"We hope that by acting as our Honorary Air Commandant she can see at first hand the amazing work of our adult volunteers who deliver a truly world-class cadet experience to many thousands of young people."
The RAF Air Cadets comprises both the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force (RAF).
In 2010, ahead of Philip's 90th birthday the following year, Buckingham Palace announced the Duke would be stepping down as president or patron from a number of organisations.
He is now 94 years old and remains closely associated with 780 organisations or charities but there are no plans for him to end his involvement with a large number of bodies all at once.
The reduction in the number of his patronages will be gradual and in consultation with each organisation concerned.
Cadet Sergeant Tommy Dade (centre) stands with the Duchess of Cambridge as she is presented with a book by Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadet organisation, (right) at Buckingham Palace in London Photo: PA
Interviewed for the BBC documentary, The Duke At 90, Philip was philosophical about ageing: "You don't really want nonagenarians as heads of organisations which are trying to do something useful.
"There is an ageism in this country, as everywhere, and quite rightly so, because I think you go down hill - physically, mentally and everything."
During the audience with Air Commodore McCafferty, Kate watched as the Duke was presented with an engraved crystal vase bearing the 75th anniversary logo of the Air Training Corps, which will reach the milestone next year.
Meanwhile the Duchess was given a copy of Horizons, The History Of The Air Cadets, which sets out the proud history and traditions of the organisation she will represent.
Two cadets were chosen to join the trio at the palace following their selection as the top male and female sports cadets of the year.
Cadet Sergeant Tommy Dade, 18, of 222 (Broadland) Squadron is on the England Futsal Football Squad and has a scholarship with Norwich City Football Club.
There are over 53,000 RAF air cadets in total
Cadet Sergeant Bronwyn Jacobs, 18, of 863 (Thurston) Squadron is the Air Training Corps' female 1,500m winner and also the English Schools' cross-country champion.
Tommy said: "It is sad to see His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh retire from the role but he has supported us for over 60 years and we couldn't ask for more.
"Having a new royal patron, particularly someone as approachable and friendly as the Duchess, is awesome."
IN PROFILE
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Role: Royal consort
Married: 20 November 1947
Born: 10 June 1921, Corfu
Age: 94
Education: Gordonstoun, then Britannia Royal Naval College, where he graduated top of his year
Surname: In order to marry Elizabeth, Philip abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles as a member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksberg
Full title: His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich, Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Knight of the Order of Australia, Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand, Extra Companion of the Queen's Service Order, Royal Chief of the Order of Logohu, Extraordinary Companion of the Order of Canada, Extraordinary Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Canadian Forces Decoration, Lord of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, Privy Councillor of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom
Did you know? Prince Philip was the first member of the Royal Family to travel in a helicopter
Kate Middleton beams as Prince Philip passes RAF Air Cadets patronage on to her - Telegraph
During an audience at Buckingham Palace, Philip relinquished his role as Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief, bringing to an end his 63-year association with the Air Training Corps.
The event marked Prince Philip’s decision to give Kate Middleton her first royal role with an official link to the armed forces.
It will also mark the first time Kate Middleton has taken over a patronage role from another royal.
Kate is now Honorary Air Commandant of the Air Cadets, her first military-linked appointment.
Kate Middleton beams as Prince Philip passes RAF Air Cadets patronage on to her
The Duke of Edinburgh has given Kate Middleton her first royal role with an official link to the armed forces.
Cadet Sergeant Tommy Dade (far left) and Cadet Sergeant Bronwyn Jacobs (far right) stand with the Duke of Edinburgh as he meets Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadet organisation (centre), at Buckingham Palace as he retired from the post of Air Commodore in Chief Photo: PA
By Agency
16 Dec 2015
The Telegraph
The Duchess of Cambridge has become the patron of the RAF Air Cadets - a role she has taken on from the Duke of Edinburgh.
During an audience at Buckingham Palace, Philip relinquished his role as Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief, bringing to an end his 63-year association with the Air Training Corps.
The event marked Prince Philip’s decision to give Kate Middleton her first royal role with an official link to the armed forces.
It will also mark the first time Kate Middleton has taken over a patronage role from another royal.
Kate is now Honorary Air Commandant of the Air Cadets, her first military-linked appointment.
She represents an organisation of 42,000 air cadets aged from 12 to 19, and 15,000 adult volunteers at more than 1,200 units across the UK and abroad.
Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadets, said after her audience with the Duke: "He is admired and respected by cadets and volunteers alike and we will miss his ready sense of humour and genuine interest in the development of the nation's youth."
Cadet Sergeant Bronwyn Jacobs (centre) stands with the Duke of Edinburgh as he is presented with a gift of a vase from Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadet organisation, (left) at Buckingham Palace in London as he retired from the post of Air Commodore in Chief Photo: PA
Speaking about Kate, whose husband William served as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, she said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge has agreed to be our patron.
"Her links to the RAF family are already well-established and her desire to support youth development is well-recognised around the world.
"We hope that by acting as our Honorary Air Commandant she can see at first hand the amazing work of our adult volunteers who deliver a truly world-class cadet experience to many thousands of young people."
The RAF Air Cadets comprises both the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force (RAF).
In 2010, ahead of Philip's 90th birthday the following year, Buckingham Palace announced the Duke would be stepping down as president or patron from a number of organisations.
He is now 94 years old and remains closely associated with 780 organisations or charities but there are no plans for him to end his involvement with a large number of bodies all at once.
The reduction in the number of his patronages will be gradual and in consultation with each organisation concerned.
Cadet Sergeant Tommy Dade (centre) stands with the Duchess of Cambridge as she is presented with a book by Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadet organisation, (right) at Buckingham Palace in London Photo: PA
Interviewed for the BBC documentary, The Duke At 90, Philip was philosophical about ageing: "You don't really want nonagenarians as heads of organisations which are trying to do something useful.
"There is an ageism in this country, as everywhere, and quite rightly so, because I think you go down hill - physically, mentally and everything."
During the audience with Air Commodore McCafferty, Kate watched as the Duke was presented with an engraved crystal vase bearing the 75th anniversary logo of the Air Training Corps, which will reach the milestone next year.
Meanwhile the Duchess was given a copy of Horizons, The History Of The Air Cadets, which sets out the proud history and traditions of the organisation she will represent.
Two cadets were chosen to join the trio at the palace following their selection as the top male and female sports cadets of the year.
Cadet Sergeant Tommy Dade, 18, of 222 (Broadland) Squadron is on the England Futsal Football Squad and has a scholarship with Norwich City Football Club.
There are over 53,000 RAF air cadets in total
Cadet Sergeant Bronwyn Jacobs, 18, of 863 (Thurston) Squadron is the Air Training Corps' female 1,500m winner and also the English Schools' cross-country champion.
Tommy said: "It is sad to see His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh retire from the role but he has supported us for over 60 years and we couldn't ask for more.
"Having a new royal patron, particularly someone as approachable and friendly as the Duchess, is awesome."
IN PROFILE
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Role: Royal consort
Married: 20 November 1947
Born: 10 June 1921, Corfu
Age: 94
Education: Gordonstoun, then Britannia Royal Naval College, where he graduated top of his year
Surname: In order to marry Elizabeth, Philip abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles as a member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksberg
Full title: His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich, Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Knight of the Order of Australia, Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand, Extra Companion of the Queen's Service Order, Royal Chief of the Order of Logohu, Extraordinary Companion of the Order of Canada, Extraordinary Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Canadian Forces Decoration, Lord of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, Privy Councillor of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom
Did you know? Prince Philip was the first member of the Royal Family to travel in a helicopter
Kate Middleton beams as Prince Philip passes RAF Air Cadets patronage on to her - Telegraph
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