ON A THRILLING OUTING WITH THEIR PARENTS PRINCE GEORGE, PRINCESS CHARLOTTE AND PRINCE LOUIS GET THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS OFF TO A FLYING START WITH A VISIT TO R.A.F. FAIRFORD

The Prince and Princess of Wales treated their children to a day out last week, getting their summer holidays off to a flying start at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).

- EMILY NASH

Prince George, who turns ten on 22 July, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis, joined Prince William and Kate for the outing to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The family of five enjoyed a tour of jets, helicopters and vintage planes across the airfield, where they were shown around by Wing Commander Will Essex.

Their first stop was the huge C-17 transporter aircraft used to carry Elizabeth II's coffin from Scotland ahead of her funeral last September, an operation for which Wg Cdr Essex was in charge. Plane fan George could be seen pressing a button to partially raise the ramp as William watched on.

BACK IN THE COCKPIT

The royal children were dressed in smart summer clothes, with the future King wearing a blue polo shirt, green chinos and brown suede shoes like his father's.

It was a return visit to the world's largest military airshow for the second in line to the throne, who delighted onlookers at the event in 2016, when, aged nearly three, he wore bright blue ear defenders to explore the aircraft.

Seven years on, he appeared to have lost none of his enthusiasm for aircraft as he confidently shook hands with Air Marshal Philip Osborn, chairman of the RAF Charitable Trust (RAFCT), and Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, the new Chief of the Air Staff.

Charlotte looked sweet in a navy Breton-striped dress by Rachel Riley and white cardigan, with navy canvas shoes and her hair tied up with two plaits.