Princess Kate and Prince William have sent a rare joint letter expressing their heartfelt grief at today’s sad Spitfire accident at a Battle of Britain event. They last shared a combined statement on social media last month, following a terrorist attack in Bondi, Sydney.
In a touching note, Princess Kate and Prince William expressed their sorrow, writing, “Very sad to hear the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby. This evening, our thoughts are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the entire RAF family.
Previously, the Ministry of Defence announced the unfortunate death of an RAF pilot during the incident. According to reports, the aircraft crashed soon before 1:20 p.m., coming down near a building near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Pictures from the scene showed the jet in a field next to a one-story structure, triggering the deployment of a rescue chopper.
The Ministry of Defence issued a mournful statement, saying, “It is with great sadness that we must report that an RAF pilot perished in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today. The pilot’s family has been informed, and we request that their privacy be maintained during this sad time.
Prince Charles, who was Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Coningsby from 2008 to 2023 before handing over the job to Princess Kate in August 2023, also acknowledged the incident. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also posted a message expressing his condolences, calling it “terrible news” to see a pilot’s life cut short in such circumstances.
Lincolnshire Police acknowledged the incident, saying, “We are saddened to confirm that a man has died after a plane crashed in a field on Langrick Road in Coningsby earlier today.” The pilot, the plane’s sole occupant, suffered injuries that proved fatal. Police have alerted his next of kin, and an inquiry into the event is underway.
The accident was reported to police just before 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, May 25th, and emergency services arrived quickly. While the community mourns this loss, the emphasis remains on assisting the pilot’s family and studying the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate accident.
