Three cheers for Prince Philip as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make first outing since funeral
Watch: Prince William and Kate visit the Air Cadets
Prince William and his wife Kate have chosen an organisation with close links to the late Prince Philip as they carried out their first engagement since his funeral.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the 282 East Ham Squadron Air Training Corps in London on Wednesday, also the Queen's 95th birthday.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who died on 9 April, was the Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps for 63 years before he passed on the role to Kate in 2015.
She is now honorary Air Commandant of the Air Training Corps.
William and Kate watched as cadets gave three cheers for the late duke at the end of the visit, having seen them take part in field craft exercises and leadership tasks.
Kensington Palace said the couple heard about the Air Cadets’ Pre-Duke of Edinburgh’s Award ‘Blue Badge’ scheme which is aimed at cadets aged 12-14 years old, and allows them to begin to develop their skills and engage in activities before they are of age to take part in the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
Kate, 39, also tried out a flight simulator, with William, 38, saying "I’ll hold the handbag" while she gave it a go.
She was talked through the controls of the Grob tutor, a light aircraft which thousands of cadets use each year for air experience flights.
As she was given a headset with a covering over the microphone, William said: "Flight safety in an age of COVID."
William was a helicopter pilot for several years, in the RAF and then for East Anglia Air Ambulance. He still maintains his flying hours - as his grandfather did.
Group Captain Al Lewis said of the visit: “It was a really unique experience and the cadets only found out an hour before they arrived. Given that we haven’t had much activity over the last years it was a real morale boost.
“It was wonderful for them, too, to see the real legacy that the Duke of Edinburgh left.
“I spoke to the duke about whether he was still flying and he said he was very keen to try to keep his flying hours up. He clearly misses flying professionally.
“It was interesting to see the duchess get in the simulator instead of him. She did very well. He was goading her to say ‘well it’s not as easy as it seems’.”
The royal couple did not wear face coverings while they were outside. However Kate had one on when she was inside the simulator and William could also be seen to be wearing one when they were indoors.
The parents of three were left giggling at one moment as they watched a demonstration of a problem solving exercise.
They watched cadets move items including a fire extinguisher and a teddy bear with ropes and William laughed as he said: “Whose teddy bear is that?”
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The Royal Family is still in its period of mourning, which end on Thursday, and so the couple were in dark colours in keeping with the traditions.
William issued a personal statement on Tuesday evening, expressing his concern about the plans for a European Super League which would have involved six of the biggest teams in the English Premier League.
He said: "Now, more than ever, we must protect the entire football community – from the top level to the grassroots – and the values of competition and fairness at its core.
"I share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love."
He also held talks on Tuesday, in his role as the president of the FA, with its chief executive Mark Bullingham.
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Princess Anne has also been carrying out engagements, visiting the Isle of Wight before her father's funeral, and attending online visits since then.
And on Wednesday she went to three hospitals in Gloucester where she opened a commemorative garden, and thanked staff for their work during the last 13 months.
William said his grandfather would have wanted them to get on with the job, in a tribute to Philip, indicating they would not spend too long behind closed doors in mourning.
Their visit on Wednesday came as the Queen thanked people for their tributes and well wishes after the death of Prince Philip.
In a personal statement, she said: "I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate.
"While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world.
"My family and I would like to thank you all for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life."
