Prince William’s appearance at the Sovereign’s Parade at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire today wasn’t just a last-minute addition to his royal agenda (he stepped in for his dad because the king was ordered to take it easy), it was a sentimental walk down memory lane for the Prince of Wales. Back in 2008, when he earned his wings, it was at the very same Air Force base and to add one more layer of nostalgia, his then-girlfriend Kate Middleton was on hand for the big moment.
For William’s ceremony, Kate wore a knee-length white coat and tall black boots, signatures that would become her go-to’s as she entered royal life. The moment was huge for the couple. They’d been dating since 2001 and many royal fans saw it as just another step towards them getting engaged, which would happen two years later.
During his time at the base, William received a royal salute and took in a flypast over the college before getting down to business, inspecting the front rank, handing out awards, and giving a short speech congratulating everyone in attendance. People notes that William’s uniform (officially, it’s the Wing Commander’s uniform) included the Garter Star and Garter Sash along with his Jubilee and Coronation medals.
He explained that the occasion was a “great honor.” He went on to say “to be with you today, representing my father, I am delighted to see so many family and friends here—I know their love and support will have been instrumental in getting you to this point.”
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“Whilst I didn’t graduate on this exact Parade Ground, I did graduate from flying training here so I know something about the celebrations that will come later, so I promise I’ll only take a few minutes of your time!” he added. “Multi-national relationships are key to international defense, security and peace. The relationships you have formed through training will be key in allowing you to achieve success in future roles and enhancing the security of all our nations.”