Prince William enjoys 'typical Anglesey weather' on nostalgic visit to former airbase
The Prince of Wales was greeted by "typical Anglesey weather" when he arrived at his former airbase for the first time since becoming Royal Honorary Air Commodore.
During a "nostalgic" visit to RAF Valley in North Wales, he was reunited with his flying instructor who he had not seen since 2009.
Prince William, who took on the honorary air commodore role from King Charles, also had an introduction to an RAF Texan T MK1 (Texan T1) – used for a basic fast jet training role – during his time in Anglesey.
After his umbrella blew inside out when he arrived, he said: "It wouldn't feel like home if I wasn't back here on a day like this."
The rain had cleared by the time he visited the air traffic control tower, giving him a view of the Llyn Peninsula, and he said: "It's a bit of nostalgia for me."
Prince William chatted with instructors, trainees and engineers over a cup of tea, which he drank from a Prince of Wales mug, and met his former flying instructor Captain Brian Wills.
Capt Wills said: "It was great, really nice to see him. The last time I saw him was 2009.
"I get asked a lot how was it training him and what extra privileges did he have, but I treated him like anybody else.
"He did everything exactly as anybody else would have done."
The Prince of Wales served as an RAF search and rescue pilot at the base from 2010 to 2013.
RAF Valley is the RAF's only station in Wales and is home to the No 4 Flying Training School (4FTS), for the UK's next generation of fighter pilots.
Crews at the base are also trained for mountain and maritime operations across the world.
During the visit, Prince William joined fire crews in a simulation exercise, operating a hose from inside a fire engine to put out flames on an "Iron Hawk" jet, used for the practice drills.
Speaking to firefighters afterwards, he said: "It was good fun."
He joked he had been "trying to get the media with the hose" but the crew with him were "very well-behaved".
The Prince of Wales visited the air traffic control tower during his tour of the base and learned about plans to refurbish the second runway before presenting the annual Prince of Wales Award to the best-qualified flying instructor to Flight Lieutenant Jake Fleming.
During his visit, he was also able to meet the response team from the RAF Mountain Rescue Service (MRS).
Prince William heard about the team's experiences providing life-saving support in the local area.
Corporal Rachel Varney said: "He was asking what had changed over the years with the kit, because a lot of it will be different to what he used.
"He was lovely to speak to and he understands it because he's worked with us before."
Founded in 1943, the RAF MRS has been saving lives for 80 years.
Managed by both permanent staff and part-time volunteers from all three services, each RAF Mountain Rescue Team is equipped for immediate deployment throughout the UK.
Forces News was given rare access to a training mission at RAF Valley in May last year.
Like many members of the Royal Family, Prince William maintains close ties to the Armed Forces.
While his charitable efforts benefit the forces and veteran communities, the Prince of Wales also has seven-and-a-half years of full-time UK military service.
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