Royal family gathers on Buckingham Palace balcony for historic RAF flypast
Today, the royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the RAF flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Sophie Countess of Wessex, Prince Andrew and the Queen lined up on the famous balcony (which surely boasts the best views in the house) to watch the spectacular show.
The Royal Air Force flew over London at 1pm in a display that was watched by many across the capital, with the Red Arrows’ jets following closely behind.
![Royal family gather on Buckingham Palace balcony for historic RAF flyby. [Photo: Rex]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/g1_Stkx14DPFdg4CYlGUgA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/0c90df7f42006f88ee758db4f7e305d9)
![The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chat ahead of the flypast. [Photo: Rex]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AN48CGHOeUU0tJOFl38z2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/85af7acfab47073ef41b0707834d0dea)
![Thousands line The Mall for the anniversary of the Royal Air Force. [Photo: Rex]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/avaJ819nqWOJHxk2a2umRQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0Mg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/b084b9571b0afbf1134ff579e53b84aa)
![Members of the Royal Air Force watch the Red Arrows flypast over Horse Guards Parade during RAF 100 [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YOml.M9szLzA8mzvp_vz1g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/89454b4deb328269eed19f429a0a875e)
The appearance on the famed balcony is the second for the family recently, after they lined up to watch another RAF flypast in honour of Trooping the Colour 2018 last month.
This was the second appearance on the balcony for the Duchess of Sussex.
After the flyover, the royal family descended on the forecourt at Buckingham Palace for a service where the Queen gave a speech.
The Queen remembered her father George VI in her speech, who became the first member of the Royal Family to qualify as a Royal Air Force pilot.
Later, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a reception at Buckingham Palace where they met serving RAF personnel and charity representatives, as well as RAF Veterans and Civil Service personnel.
The Palace tweeted about the Duke of Cambridge’s connection to the RAF, having received his wings as an RAF pilot (by his father, no less) in April 2008.
The Duke of Cambridge is the 4th successive generation of the monarchy to become an RAF pilot. He received his RAF wings from his father The Prince of Wales at RAF Cranwell in April 2008 after completing an intensive 12 week flying course. #RAF100 pic.twitter.com/nF9CIYcwNr
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 10, 2018
The royals started the day by attending a service at Westminster Abbey celebrating the RAF’s history.
We can expect to catch the Duke and Duchess of Sussex next as they head to Ireland this evening for their first royal tour as a married couple.
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