After taking over as Patron of the RAF Air Cadets from Prince Philip last December, the Duchess of Cambridge will take on her first official engagement as Honorary Air Commandant.
On Sunday 7th February, the Duchess will help mark the 75th anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets.
The Duke of Edinburgh served as Air Commodore-in-Chief for 63 years before passing his patronage to the Duchess. The role was the first military-linked role for Kate to take on and the first patronage she took on from another member of the Royal Family.
Made up of the Air Training Corps (ATC) and Combined Cadet Force (CCF), the RAF Air Cadets help promote an interest of aviation in youth, both men and women. They also encourage and build on life skills such as leadership and teamwork as well as provide necessary training.
Currently, the organisation is made up of 15,00 adult volunteers and 42,000 air cadets between the ages of 12 to 19 throughout the UK and abroad.
First established in 1941 during the Second World War, the Air Cadets goal was to train young men in aviation skills before they would join the RAF.
Kate’s February 7 visit will the first of many RAF Air Cadets events in 2016. With 2016 marking the 75th anniversary there are multiple events planned to help celebrate the organisation’s important work and history.
On that Sunday, Kate will be attending a service at RAF church St Clement Danes and then a reception in the nearby Royal Courts of Justice. This opportunity will allow the Duchess to introduce herself as their new Patron as well as learn about the many programmes and activities by meeting and speaking with just a few of the many cadets, veterans and adult volunteers.
However, the Duchess isn’t completely blind to the work the RAF does as her husband Prince William serves as a helicopter search and rescue pilot.
