The event was the Prince of Wales’ first engagement as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps
Although Kate Middleton was not present during Prince William’s military appointment, she was top of mind during his first engagement as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
The Prince of Wales, 41, “received an AAC tartan wrap for the Princess of Wales, a scarf for himself and three wooden helicopters for their children,” Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English posted on X alongside a video of the gifts being exchanged on Monday, May 13.
While King Charles, 75, was on hand to officially appoint William the new title and role, Kate, 42, did not attend the ceremony, which took place at the Army Aviation Centre (AAC) Middle Wallop in Hampshire.
However, her absence was expected since Princess Kate has not returned to royal duties after announcing her cancer diagnosis in March and continues to undergo treatment.
The Prince of Wales, 41, “received an AAC tartan wrap for the Princess of Wales, a scarf for himself and three wooden helicopters for their children,” Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English posted on X alongside a video of the gifts being exchanged on Monday, May 13.
While King Charles, 75, was on hand to officially appoint William the new title and role, Kate, 42, did not attend the ceremony, which took place at the Army Aviation Centre (AAC) Middle Wallop in Hampshire.
However, her absence was expected since Princess Kate has not returned to royal duties after announcing her cancer diagnosis in March and continues to undergo treatment.
Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to service personal at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop
Prince William at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, England, on May 13, 2024. KIN CHEUNG – WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES
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But that didn’t stop Army Air Corps personnel from honoring the princess, who has turned tartan into a royal fashion statement, as well as her and William’s three kids — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — with the wooden toys, a seeming nod to the prince’s time spent as Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot.
In addition to receiving gifts for him and his family, Prince William also spent the engagement getting a brief on the Army Air Corps’ “work and inspecting training and operational aircraft” following the King’s departure, the BBC reported.