Kate and William issue rare joint message to share 'incredible sadness' (2024)

Prince William and Princess Kate issued a rare statement (Image: Getty)

Princess Kate and Prince William have issued a rare joint message to express their "incredible sadness" over the tragic Spitfire crash today during a Battle of Britain event.

Posting on X, the Wales' wrote: "Incredibly sad to hear of the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby.

"Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family. W & C."

The Ministry of Defence tragically confirmed earlier that an RAF pilot had died during the crash.

It's understood the famous aircraft plummeted to the ground just before 1.20pm and came to rest near a building in the vicinity of RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire.

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Pictures from the scene showed the stricken plane had come to rest near a single-storey building. A rescue helicopter was scrambled to the scene.

A sombre statement from the Ministry of Defence said: “It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today.

“The pilot’s family have been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

The Prince of Wales was Honorary Air Commodore, RAF Coningsby, between 2008 and 2023, before handing over the role to the Princess of Wales in August 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also shared a message on X, he said: "Awful news to see the life of a serving RAF pilot cut short in this tragic event. My thoughts are with their family and loved ones."

Lincolnshire Police also confirmed the tragedy releasing a statement that said the injuries sustained by the pilot were not survivable.

The force said: "We are sad to confirm that a man has died after a plane crashed into a field on Langrick Road in Coningsby earlier today.

"The man was the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft. Police are not in a position to confirm his name but his next of kin have been informed. Nobody else is thought to have been injured as a result.

"The incident was called into police just before 1.20pm today (Saturday 25 May) and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene. Sadly, the injuries the pilot sustained were not survivable and he was declared deceased at the scene. Investigations are ongoing into the cause."

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