Prince William has reflected on the early days of his marriage to Kate during a poignant visit on the eve of their anniversary.
The Prince of Wales, 43, told trainees at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales, that he “loved” his time there, as he visited the site on Tuesday.
William was an RAF search and rescue pilot at the Holyhead base from 2010 to 2013, when he and the Princess of Wales, who mark their 15th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, lived together in Anglesey as newlyweds.
Speaking to trainees at the station, which opened in February 1941, William said his time there during the early days of his marriage was “great fun”.
“I loved my time up here. It was great fun,” he said. “Your time up here will go quickly, that’s the thing. You’ll look back with fond memories.” He added: “I do miss it. I miss the job, I miss the camaraderie.”
‘Fond memories’ for William
During Tuesday’s visit, William met former colleagues, including pilot instructor Brian Wills and chief maritime instructor Andy Batchelor, to whom he spoke about maintaining his flying currency.
Mr Wills said: “In a heartbeat, he said he’d come back and do it again
Wearing a RAF military pattern camouflage uniform, the future King was returning to the former air base to mark its 85th anniversary as Royal Honorary Air Commodore. He then presented the Prince of Wales Award, given annually to recognise the best qualified flying instructor within the No. 4 Flying Training School, to Flight Lieutenant Kieran D’Lima.
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The timing and location of the visit were particularly poignant, as Anglesey was where he and Kate had their first marital home, a four-bedroom country house.
Kate previously revealed the first three years of their marriage were “such a special time”, marking the start of their married life together.
Celebrating 15 years of marriage
It’s perhaps no surprise that William chose to return to such an important location on the eve of his wedding anniversary. Wednesday, 29 April, marks a decade and a half since he and Kate tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
It’s thought they will mark the occasion with a low-key public outing, before celebrating with their children at home.
“They’re a great example of a happy family,” a friend of the couple told HELLO!‘s royal editor, Emily Nash. “William has always been intent on achieving that. Catherine also comes from a near-idyllic family background, what with her two amazing parents and close sibling relationships.”
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