Queen hails 'tenacity and gallantry' of RAF as Royal family watch centenary flypast over Buckingham Palace

Danny Boyle
Updated

The Queen has praised the Royal Air Force for its "tenacity, skill and gallantry" as she was joined by senior members of the Royal family at the centrepiece of events marking the force's 100th year.

Standing in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as she presented the Queen's Colour to the RAF, she spoke of the "remarkable contribution to defence" over the last 100 years.

The largest ever formation of RAF Typhoons then spelt out 100 in the skies above the palace. A total of 22 of the fighter jets took part in the flypast, forming into the numbers, which had served as a surprise for the public and Royal family watching the spectacle.

The Metropolitan Police estimated between 65,000 and 70,000 people lined the  streets of central London to see the flypast, it is understood. 

It was 100 years ago on April 1 1918 that the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to create the RAF - the world's first independent air service.

RAF centenary: Royals attend Westminster Abbey Service ahead of flypast, in pictures

At just after 1pm on Tuesday, Puma and Chinook helicopters began the spectacle, followed by aircraft including a Lancaster, Spitfires, Hurricanes, the A400M Atlas, Tornados and three F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Drawing the spectacle to a close was the Red Arrows, who in traditional aerobatic style, streamed red, white and blue smoke down the length of the Mall.

Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry Duke of Sussex, Prince William Duke of Cambridge and Katherine Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF 100th anniversary flypast - Credit: PAUL GROVER FOR THE TELEGRAPH 
The Queen watches the flypast with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Credit: PAUL GROVER FOR THE TELEGRAPH
Prince George And Princess Charlotte are spotted at the window of Buckingham Palace waving and sticking their tongues out to royal fans below. - Credit: WENN.com
Prince George And Princess Charlotte are spotted at the window of Buckingham Palace waving and sticking their tongues out to royal fans below Credit: WENN.com

Squadron Leader Mike Child said the arrangement of the aircraft took "months of planning", with pilots also undertaking simulator training and multiple briefings.

Asked how hard it has been putting together the formation, he said: "It has been difficult because it is the biggest formation we have ever done as a Typhoon force.

"We have done nine ships - which are the diamond nine - which is a relatively basic formation, but it is actually making something that big."

Flypast - Credit: HENRY NICHOLLS /Reuters
The Red Arrows perform a fly past over Buckingham Palace - streaming red, white and blue smoke down the length of the Mall Credit: HENRY NICHOLLS /Reuters

The 38-year-old said he came up with a lot of the shape of the formation in terms of references, and measured it all out and where everyone should be.

He revealed much of the practice has been taking place over the North Sea more than 120 miles out from land to avoid being spotted, and to give them more space.

"That formation is relatively big and unwieldy and trying to manoeuvre it is difficult, so doing it over land is harder," Sqn Ldr Child said.

Five frontline Typhoon squadrons, plus one training unit, are involved in the formation - with eight jets and 150 personnel brought down from RAF Lossiemouth to RAF Coningsby for the flypast.

The Red Arrows fly over a full-size replica of a Hawker Hurricane in Windsor - Credit: Stan Kujawa 
The Red Arrows fly over a full-size replica of a Hawker Hurricane in Windsor Credit: Stan Kujawa
 Military aircraft pass near Wimbledon - Credit: ANDREW COULDRIDGE /Reuters
Spectators at Wimbledon watch the military aircraft pass overhead Credit: ANDREW COULDRIDGE /Reuters
Members of the Royal Air Force parade down The Mall - Credit: Victoria Jones /PA
Members of the Royal Air Force parade down The Mall Credit: Victoria Jones /PA

Set to fly in the back seat of one of the jets, asked how he feels to be involved, he said: "It is an overwhelming sense of pride... to be involved on the day - flying will be just amazing."

With three weeks set aside for training ahead of the flypast, he said the Typhoon force is still delivering on operations around the world, and through Quick Reaction Alert.

"What we have done is reduce the training flying back in the UK, it is not that we are stopping it, we are just reduced it," he said of managing training, formation practice and operations.

Asked what the Queen will have made of the display, he said: "It is going to be quite a tight formation, I think hopefully she will be very impressed, it is going to be loud as well going down the Mall."

The Queen and other members of the Royal family have been leading national celebrations as the Royal Air Force marks a centenary since its formation.

RAF spelling out 100 on the forecourt of the palace as the massed crowds fill the Mall  - Credit: Pixel8000 
Service personnel spelling out 100 on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as crowds fill the Mall Credit: Pixel8000

It was 100 years ago on April 1 1918 that the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to create the RAF - the world's first independent air service.

Beginning with a service at Westminster Abbey, the Queen was joined by family members including the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Queen praises RAF for 'tenacity, skill and gallantry'

The Queen has praised the Royal Air Force for its "tenacity, skill and gallantry". Standing in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, she spoke of the "remarkable contribution to defence" over the last 100 years.

The Queen spoke proudly not only as the RAF's Air Commodore-in-Chief, but also as a citizen who remembered the Battle of Britain, and as a daughter whose father King George VI served with the RAF.

She said: "Presenting the Royal Air Force with a new Queen's Colour provides an opportunity to congratulate the service for your remarkable contribution to defence over the last 100 years.

"Tenacity, skill and gallantry have been your hallmarks as you helped safeguard freedom and security in many parts of the world.

"I remember the Battle of Britain being fought over the skies above us and we shall never forget the courage and sacrifice of that time."

She also took the Royal Salute at the ceremony as her relatives including the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge plus the Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched nearby.

Royals attend Westminster Abbey service

Charles, William and Harry all chose to wear No 1 RAF uniform to Westminster Abbey, with Kate wearing a Dacre Brooch - which was presented to her by the Air Cadets when she took on patronage in 2015.

And despite still being on maternity leave, after giving birth to Prince Louis only 11 weeks ago, it is understood that Kate felt it was important to attend Tuesday's celebrations.

Kate wore a coat by Alexander McQueen, and a hat by Sean Barrett, with Meghan choosing to wear a dress by Dior and a hat by royal milliner Stephen Jones.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at a service at Westminster Abbey - Credit: Steve Parsons /PA
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at a service at Westminster Abbey Credit: Steve Parsons /PA
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the Westminster Abbey service - Credit: SIMON DAWSON /Reuters
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the Westminster Abbey service Credit: SIMON DAWSON /Reuters
Duchess of Sussex and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leave a service to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force (RAF) at Westminster Abbey - Credit: CHRIS J RATCLIFFE /AFP
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex outside Westminster Abbey Credit: CHRIS J RATCLIFFE /AFP
The Prince of Wales salutes outside Westminster Abbey - Credit: Steve Parsons /PA
The Prince of Wales salutes outside Westminster Abbey Credit: Steve Parsons /PA

And in keeping with the traditional blue of the RAF, the Queen wore a royal blue silk coat with a turquoise collar and dress in the same colour, both by Angela Kelly, with a matching hat by Angela Kelly and a diamond star brooch.

The Queen wore a royal blue silk coat with a turquoise collar over a dress in the same colour for the service - Credit: SIMON DAWSON /Reuters
The Queen wore a royal blue silk coat with a turquoise collar over a dress in the same colour for the service Credit: SIMON DAWSON /Reuters

More than 2,200 people packed Westminster Abbey for the service, with dignitaries including Prime Minister Theresa May, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attending alongside the royals.

Theresa May arrives at Westminster Abbey - Credit: SIMON DAWSON /Reuters
Theresa May shakes hands as she arrives at Westminster Abbey Credit: SIMON DAWSON /Reuters

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, addressed the congregation and said the RAF has in its first 100 years been a decisive factor in serving the country, as well as being key in protecting democracy and freedom.

With an RAF ensign draped over the high altar behind him in the abbey, Mr Welby also highlighted how members of his own family have served and been killed in the RAF - drawing attention to his own father who flew low level sorties in Burma.

Video: Royals at Westminster Abbey

Flypast is 'centrepiece' of the RAF's 100th year

Air-Vice Marshal Gerry Mayhew, the air officer commanding No 1 group and the senior responsible officer for the flypast, said the day is the "centrepiece" of the RAF's 100th year.

"It is the high point for the capital, Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal family," he said.

"And it is a great opportunity to look back and really celebrate our past, but to look forward is a really important thing for us as we look to the next 100 years."

RAF centenary | Read more

He described being at the forefront of the flypast as a "great honour", and said he hopes the Queen and royal family will see "exactly what they can do" for the monarch.

Asked what message a 100-aircraft flypast may send to Britain's adversaries and the world, he said: "It demonstrates we are a competent, professional and capable air force that has a credible, very credible, set of capabilities."

Charles, Camilla, William, Harry and Meghan will also meet veterans, personnel, charity representatives and those from the civil service in a reception after the spectacle.

Video: 100 years of the Royal Air Force

Aircraft that will feature in flypast

The flypast is set to feature aircraft including Puma and Chinook helicopters, a Lancaster, Spitfires, Hurricanes, the A400M Atlas, Tornados, Typhoons and the F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Drawing the spectacle to a close will be the Red Arrows, who in traditional aerobatic style will stream red, white and blue smoke down the length of The Mall.

The officer commanding the Red Arrows, Wing Commander Andrew Keith, who took the helm in August, said it is an incredible year to be leading them.

RAF 100 Flypast aircraft

RAF 100 Flypast route

During the flypast, he said he will be flying in the formation in the back seat of the team leader's jet, "getting a few photos".

"It is going to be business as usual for us - and hopefully clocking over that 100th aircraft," he said when asked if they will be doing anything different on the day.