Prince William and Kate Middleton speak out after RAF pilot dies in Spitfire crash

Prince William and his wife Catherine said in a statement on X that they are ‘incredibly sad’ following the death of a pilot in a Spitfire crash at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire

The Prince and Princess of Wales said they are “incredibly sad” to hear of the death of a Royal Air Force pilot in a Spitfire crash near RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire.

Prince William and Catherine shared a statement on social media after the Ministry of Defence confirmed the tragic news this evening. The pilot died after a Spitfire crashed during a Battle of Britain event at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire this afternoon.

Police and emergency services rushed to the scene on Langrick Road in Lincolnshire just before 1.20pm on Saturday. The Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) was flying near the air station when the crash took place.

The male pilot, who has not yet been named, was declared dead at the scene. The Prince and Princess of Wales wrote on X: “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.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson 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.”