Diana’s sister on hand as Prince of Wales warns of challenges ahead

The Prince of Wales was joined by his late mother’s sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, at an RAF graduation ceremony where he warned to cadets that they “live in a time of change and uncertainty”.

His Royal Highness is understood to have invited his aunt to Thursday’s event at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, because she lives nearby. A source said she was keen to be there to support her nephew.

All three of Princess Diana’s siblings – Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah and Lady Jane Fellowes – have remained close to the Prince and the Duke of Sussex, quietly supporting them at occasional events over the years, although rarely at official royal engagements.

The family was reunited last month for the funeral of Lord Fellowes, Lady Jane’s husband and a former private secretary to Elizabeth II, which was attended by both princes.

The Duke of Sussex is understood to have stayed at Althorp, Northamptonshire, his late mother’s ancestral seat during his visit.

Lady Jane and Earl Spencer supported the Duke at a service marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral in May, while in July 2021, all three siblings joined the Duke and Prince of Wales for the unveiling of a statue of their late mother at Kensington Palace.

Prince William addressed 48 cadets at their passing out parade at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, among them officers from Jordan, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda. He noted that soon, each would play an important role in defending their countries.

“Multinational relationships are key to international defence, security, and peace,” he said.

“The relationships you have formed through training will be key in allowing you to achieve success in future roles, and enhancing the security of all our nations.”

The Prince, who earned his wings at RAF Cranwell in 2008, said the force had “a distinctive character, spirit, and attitude” that enabled its officers to pull together, “no matter the challenge or environment”.

He added: “We live in a time of change and uncertainty, and you, as the future of the Royal Air Force, are the ones who will ensure that we are able to adapt and face future threats.”

While the Royal family tends to avoid public comment on contentious or political issues, the Prince has not shied away from addressing ongoing conflicts in both Ukraine and Israel-Gaza.

In February, he called for an end to the fighting in Gaza, stating that “too many” had been killed as he urged more humanitarian aid and the release of hostages.

Last March, he made an unannounced visit to a military base in Poland, near to the Ukraine border, thanking British troops for “defending our freedoms”.

During the passing out parade, the Prince could not resist a nod to his own graduation ceremony there in April 2008, on the completion of an intensive four-month flying course, when he received his wings from his father to become a qualified RAF pilot.

At the time, it was the presence of his then 26-year-old girlfriend, Kate Middleton, on the parade ground which caused the most excitement. It was her first appearance at a formal event with the Prince in almost 18 months and was deemed proof that their relationship was serious.

The Prince raised a laugh as he told the cadets: “Whilst I didn’t graduate on this exact parade ground, I did graduate from flying training here so I know something about the celebrations that will come later – so I promise, I’ll only take a few minutes of your time.”

The Prince, who served for three years as a search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey, sported a slightly fuller beard than in recent weeks, suggesting that the facial hair first seen during his summer holidays was no mere fad.

It was thought to be his first appearance with facial hair in military uniform. It came almost six months after the Army became the last of the armed forces to allow its serving personnel to grow beards.

The RAF introduced a similar facial hair policy in 2019, while the Royal Navy has allowed beards and moustaches for years.

The heir to the throne received a Royal Salute and observed a flypast over the college.

He then inspected the Guard’s front rank, presented four awards, and delivered a brief speech congratulating the graduates on the completion of an intensive 24-week training programme as he marked the “significant milestone”.

“Whatever your experience, this parade marks the culmination of many months of hard work and determination,” he said. “You are now receiving a King’s Commission into the RAF, and I hope that you are all very proud of what you have achieved.

“Whether you now specialise in people ops, air and space ops, cyberspace, medical, engineering, or aircrew, you will be leaders in an agile and dynamic force, operating globally at the extremes of home support. “

In closing, he quoted Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader: “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do this, or that. That’s nonsense… Never, Never let them persuade you that things are too difficult, or impossible.”

Following the ceremony, the Prince mingled with the 48 new officer cadets and four international officer cadets, their families and friends in the College dining room, learning about their training experiences and future aspirations.