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Prince William Makes Nostalgic Return to RAF Valley for 85th Anniversary

The visit signaled a sharper focus on how the armed forces treat women.

Overview

  • Prince William, who visited RAF Valley on Tuesday for the base’s 85th anniversary, told trainees he loved his time there and misses the job.
  • He watched a parade and, in his role as Royal Honorary Air Commodore, presented The Prince of Wales Award to Flight Lieutenant Kieran D’Lima for top instructor performance in No. 4 Flying Training School.
  • Reuniting with former crewmates and instructors, colleagues said he told them he would return to search-and-rescue work “in a heartbeat.”
  • He met servicewomen to take “barometer readings” of their experiences and said some issues they raised left him “not particularly happy.”
  • William served at the Anglesey station from 2010 to 2013 while living there with Kate as newlyweds, a tie that made the eve of their 15th anniversary a pointed homecoming.