The Princess of Wales was in familiar pieces for a visit to RAF Coningsby.
The air station is located in Lincolnshire, approximately 3-1/2 hours north of Windsor.
It is the training station for Typhoon pilots and home to two frontline squadrons.
The Princess was appointed Royal Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Coningsby in August 2023.
The Princess got a close look at the Typhoon.
Here you see the Princess as she hears about this class of jets.
We learn more from The Daily Mail’s coverage.
During her visit, Kate viewed one of these aircrafts, before visiting the Typhoon Future Synthetic Training facility – a newly opened site which provides integrated training environments for pilots.
The Sun’s story has more.
The Princess even took the controls of a flight simulator and performed a loop the loop on her first visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire…
And she shared how her youngest son Louis is keen to become a fighter pilot, but added: “I’m going to tell them (her children) it takes eight years and a lot of hard work.”
Speaking afterwards Group Captain Paul O’Grady, Station Commander, said: “She seems to be a natural pilot so we might have to get her qualified and get her flying a Typhoon, if she’s up for it.”
The Princess also spent time in a communal space called ‘The Lounge,’ where she met members of the base Welfare Team.
More from Lincolnshire Live’s coverage of the engagement.
Corporal Emily Winks sat down for a cup of tea with the Princess of Wales where she spoke about her role and contribution to the station.
She described Catherine as being ‘passionate about the armed forces’.
ASI Dan Field added: “She seemed really curious and really interested in what we had to say.”
We return to the Lincolnshire Live piece.
While enjoying refreshments in the communal area, Her Royal Highness was handed three cuddly plane toys for her children George, Charlotte and Louis, which she says they will ‘absolutely love’.
The mother-of-three then spoke with personnel about the importance of community and belonging – particularly for young recruits who have just joined the military.
She said: “That sense of community, that sense of family is very important for them.
More via this BBC article.
Presenting her with three model Typhoons for her children, one team member said to her: “Somebody told us that your children were very excited about you seeing a plane.”
The princess replied: “They’ll be very upset that I’ve seen a Typhoon without them.”
Before leaving, the Princess met well-wishers gathered at the base.
We return to The Sun’s story.
Afterwards she met local families outside the base chatting to parents and children.
Kate appeared to have such a good time she stayed 90 minutes longer than planned, and joked: “I’m sorry, I totally outstayed my welcome!”
We return to the Lincolnshire Live coverage one more time.
The Princess of Wales met dozens of people at the Lincolnshire base today and, according to our reporter, the one phrase on everyone’s lips is: “She was very down to earth.”
The senior royal impressed personnel with her kind nature and genuine interest in their lives.
Gaynor Benjamin, 55, said: “She was very relaxed, like someone we could talk to. She seemed interested in our lives.”
Rebecca Benjamin, 26, added that she was ‘a lot more down to earth’ than she expected.
It appears that the Princess has made some new friends.
Including a four-legged friend she met earlier in the visit.
Now, for our look at what Kate wore for today’s engagement.
Many immediately recognized her Bella Freud suit, a style that we saw earlier this month for engagements showcasing British textiles. The Earl Jacket and Schoolboy Trousers (both styles are now sold out) showcase a classic Prince of Wales pattern. Both pieces are crafted of a wool and linen blend fabric.
The Princess brought back an Alexander McQueen top, first noted when worn for Holocaust Memorial Day in 2021. The women’s Rib-knit Long-sleeve Sweater In Grey Melange (past season, no longer available) features a round neck, keyhole back, and directional ribbing, including a center strip on the front and back.
It looks like the Princess wore her Gianvito 85 Pumps in navy suede ($795), a point-toe style with a 3.3″ heel.
Her hair was partially pulled back.
The Princess’s jewelry included the sapphire and diamond cluster earrings and the RAF Air Arm Fleet pin. I show it as worn today, and also on Remembrance Sunday 2025 (bottom right).
One other quick note today, this one involving a tiara appearance for the Princess. Kind of, sort of, okay – not really. It’s a tiara on a cowboy hat I’m referencing.
The Princess was shown in the hat as part of a social media post with good luck wishes for England’s Red Roses ahead of their match against Canada in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The Red Roses were victorious in the match, beating Canada’s team 33-13.
Bonnie A
Sunday 12th of October 2025
I am rather late to the discussion! I think the Bella Freud suit is a great, rapid re-wear. It sits so well on the PoW and suits the occasion perfectly. I don't enjoy the McQueen rib knit sweater. The colour provides enough contrast, but I find the fabric clingy and the rib lines not complimentary to the those of the suit fabric. The heels are beautiful and while she manages them like a princess, I wonder if they are a bit radical for the backward step navigation scene. Why not wear something safer! LOVE her hair this way, and the jewellery is gorgeous.
Zell
Sunday 12th of October 2025
I thought I had already commented on this post and that my comments had showed up. In fact, I am sure that all happened, yet I don't see them anymore. How odd, but I will comment again. (If I am commenting a second time, please forgive me).
I really like this look! In fact, for some reason, I like it much better than the last time she wore this exact same suit, but paired with a black sweater. I would usually favor the sharp contrast of a black sweater to a gray one, but instead, and for reasons that sort of elude me, I like this look better than the other one:
https://whatkatewore.com/2025/09/11/the-princess-wears-bella-freud-for-british-textiles-engagements/
It might be that, for me, the black sweater looked a bit too stark on Catherine, when worn with this suit. The gray sweater looks very pretty to me. In fact, it kind of looks like a gray/blue color. I find the color soithimg, and I like that it is darker in tone than the suit, so it does give some contrast to the suit.
This is a professional look, but there's a softness to it. Gray is a softer color than black. It has more of a tranquil quality. The texture of the sweater is subtle, but when one sees it in close up photos, this texture kind of picks up the texture of the suit. That is quite a clever and cool look!
The sapphire and diamond earrings look wonderful. The gray sweater (is it slate gray? Or maybe a kind of steel gray?) and the navy pumps all enhance the Bella Freud suit.
Some would like her to wear chunky heels, and I've no doubt that the Princess of Wales would look Great in them, but I think I prefer her with the stilettos, (even though I shudder, just a bit, for her feet). Then again, she seems quite adroit in navigating her terrain, in these sky high heels, and one cannot deny that they provide to this outfit, three things that Catherine seems to love for a more formal daytime look: they are elegant, feminine and professional looking.
I'm just glad that the Princess of Wales is now sometimes wearing pants that aren't so long that we can't see her lovely shoes.
All and all this is a very winning look, for sure, and Catherine has aced it, once again!
Bobby
Friday 10th of October 2025
Just a note to say that I hope everything is all right with you. You usually post right after a Kate appearance, and you haven't since the Stella McCartney pantsuit. I'm hoping that I missed an announcement and that you're taking a well deserved vacation. Look forward to your coverage and everyone's comments on the SM suit when you're back!
admin
Monday 13th of October 2025
All is okay, Bobby, you are lovely to check on me! We had some major technical work done on the site and I wasn't able to update for quite a stretch of time. :)
ElizaMo
Friday 3rd of October 2025
Catherine once again produces a sharp professional outfit for a royal outing and the Emma Freud is a beautiful suit, though just three weeks between appearances is a bit on the quick side. The single-breasted jacket on top of the slim leg pants keeps the silhouette streamlined and easy on the eye. The whole suit makes an admirable pick for climbing in and out of aircraft cockpits.
It's fun that she has the eye to use navy pumps from Gianvito Rossi for subtle contrast, and by now the clip of her descending backwards in them down a ladder has gone viral. This girl can do most anything in heels.
There are thin pickings for fashion followers. We have minor changes in layering top, shoes, belt, but otherwise exactly the same as we saw just three weeks ago. The grey layer top this time seems a shade too pale for me, and I find the ribbing pattern confusing against the suit check. There are things here of which I am genuinely fond. I’m delighted to see hair swept completely away from the face, I love the sapphire earrings and do not tire of them, and I suspect those pumps look all the better from emerging from such a slim, well-tailored leg and not lost from sight under a wide-leg hem. I’m also a fan of the traditional tortoiseshell buttons on the jacket
I was a little struck at the reported comment from Catherine on admiring the dresses worn by some of her youngest fans, to which the Princess is alleged to have said ‘I’m sorry I didn’t wear my dress today.’ Fingers crossed for next time.
Sue V
Friday 3rd of October 2025
When not totally ‘up’ I have always really like this part pulled back style for Catherine’s hair: stops her always having to fiddle it back over her shoulders, which is distracting and a mite unprofessional, and she can keep the long locks she is obviously loving at the moment. I think Catherine needs to wear this style more often.
The suit I thought last time was a really good style and I like it very much, the length and cut is just right. I am not in the category of ‘too much grey’ but perhaps a top the colour of the barely noticeable blue stripe in the pattern would have been a a good choice? It looks to be a powdery blue....? That way Catherine could have worn the slightly lower, more block-heeled black suede shoes she has. It would have been slightly less heart in mouth seeing her tackle the steps on the planes!
I watched some of the footage on the Royal Family Channel (ITV, I think it is) and Catherine surrounded by all the tiny girls was adorable! She was having the time of her life!