In a rare display of unity, Princess Kate and Prince William have shared a heartfelt joint letter expressing their profound sorrow over the devastating Spitfire crash that occurred during a Battle of Britain event. This marks the first time the couple has publicly addressed an issue together since last month, when they posted about a terrorist incident in Bondi, Sydney.
In their touching message, they conveyed their deepest condolences, stating, “We are deeply saddened to hear the news from RAF Coningsby this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the pilot, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF community during this difficult time.”
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the tragic death of an RAF pilot involved in the incident. Reports indicate that the aircraft crashed shortly before 1:20 p.m., landing near a building at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Images from the scene revealed the plane resting in a field adjacent to a single-story structure, prompting the immediate dispatch of a rescue helicopter.
In a somber statement, the Ministry of Defence expressed, “It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today. The pilot’s family has been informed, and we kindly ask that their privacy be respected during this trying time.”
Prince Charles, who served as Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Coningsby from 2008 until August 2023, when he passed the role to Princess Kate, also acknowledged the tragic incident. Additionally, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his condolences, calling the loss of a pilot’s life “terrible news” in such tragic circumstances.
Lincolnshire Police confirmed the unfortunate event, stating, “We are saddened to report that a man has died following a plane crash in a field on Langrick Road in Coningsby earlier today.” The pilot, the only occupant of the aircraft, sustained injuries that were sadly not survivable. Authorities have notified his next of kin, and investigations into the incident are currently underway.
As the community comes together to mourn this tragic loss, the focus remains on supporting the pilot’s family and understanding the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
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