Queen’s hair left windswept on visit to RAF base
The Queen’s hair fell victim to the elements on Friday, demonstrating that even the best stylists are no match for Mother Nature.
As Her Majesty landed on a blustery airfield at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, she was immediately caught in a strong wind.
The Queen’s carefully coiffed hair was blown awry as she greeted service personnel and their families.
Remarking on the strong wind, which also ruffled her blue Fiona Clare dress, she was told: “It literally started blowing up just before you arrived.”
The Queen visited the base in her role of Honorary Air Commodore.
Station Commander Group Captain Paul Hamilton introduced her to members of 11 Squadron QEAF who train both RAF and Qatari pilots on Hawk jets.
The Queen also met members of 90 Signals, specialists in communications and cyber defence, and a specialist counter drone team who worked on the Coronation and recently teamed up with their French counterparts for the Olympics.
After posing for a group photograph, she was awarded a medallion by Qatari pilots.
“Thank you very much, I shall find somewhere safe for this,” she said.
At the station’s wellness area, comprising allotments, a polytunnel growing area, chicken coops and beehives, the Queen met 18-month-old Ophelia, whose father, Liam Barsby, 24, is a radar technician.
Ophelia’s mother, Phoebe, 25, described how her daughter loved to come down each day to feed the chickens.
“It’s good to start them young,” the Queen replied.
“There’s nothing better than getting in your garden. It’s very soothing.”
As she left, she was treated to a fly-over by three Hawk jets before heading back up to Scotland to rejoin the King for the weekend, when they will attend the Braemar Games before marking the second anniversary of his accession.
