Prince William’s forgotten family make surprise show of support for royal

Prince William was given a show of “support” from his auntie as he held a parade for an RAF officer graduation ceremony.

William, 42, wore his beard with his Wing Commander uniform at RAF Cranwell, Lincs – possibly the first time he has been seen hirsute in uniform.He delivered an address to the new officers on the parade ground, saying: “We live in a time of change and uncertainty, and you, as the future of the Royal Air Force, are the ones who will ensure that we are able to adapt and face future threats.”

And was joined at the bash by his aunt Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 69, who is his aunt Princess Diana’s sister. It is understood Lady Sarah heard her nephew was at the event and turned up to show “support”.

She lives 15 miles from RAF Cranwell, in Grantham, and she served a one-year term as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 2009. It comes after Harry and William both attended their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes’ funeral last month and the Duke of Sussex stayed at Althorp with Earl Spencer on 27th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.

William arrived for the two hour ceremony and inspected the graduates and took the salute before handing prizes to the college’s ‘top guns’. The prince passed his officer training at Sandhurst but gained his ‘wings’ at Cranwell after flight training in 2008.

Speaking about his time at the RAF training base, he said: “I am delighted to see so many family and friends here – I know their love and support will have been instrumental in getting you to this point. Whilst I didn’t graduate on this exact Parade Ground, I did graduate from flying training here so I know something about the celebrations that will come later.”

The passing out ceremony was topped with a deafening flypast from an RAF Typhoon jet.