Prince William marks RAF Valley anniversary
Royal revisits base to honor service and training
Prince William returned to Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley on the Isle of Anglesey to mark the airbase’s 85th anniversary, revisiting a base where he served as a search-and-rescue pilot between 2010 and 2013. As Royal Honorary Air Commodore, he was greeted by a military band and air force personnel, presented The Prince of Wales Award to Flight Lieutenant Kieran D’Lima for best Qualified Flying Instructor, and spent time meeting serving members, veterans, trainees and their families.
During the visit he toured aircraft and training facilities, observed commemorative displays and flypast demonstrations, and shared tea with female RAF personnel. The itinerary combined formal ceremony with personal engagement, allowing William to reflect on his own service while seeing contemporary training operations that keep RAF Valley central to pilot preparation and search-and-rescue readiness.
Officials said the anniversary underscored RAF Valley’s long-standing role in defence readiness and emergency response, and showcased how the base has evolved to meet modern operational demands. Veterans who had served across decades joined current staff in commemorations that traced the airbase’s history and highlighted its contributions to both national security and humanitarian missions. The event included displays that connected past achievements to present capabilities, reinforcing the continuity of the base’s mission.
William praised the professionalism, dedication and resilience of personnel, acknowledging the skills and experience he gained during his own time stationed there. His presence added symbolic weight to the celebrations, reflecting the close ties between the royal household and the armed forces and signalling ongoing support for military communities across the United Kingdom.
The visit also drew attention to the future: officials and commanders pointed to RAF Valley’s role in training the next generation of pilots and maintaining operational readiness amid evolving threats and technologies. Demonstrations and facility tours highlighted ongoing investments in training infrastructure and the base’s capacity to adapt to changing defence needs.
