Royal week sees Princes and Princess enjoying Oxfordshire

A royal Oxfordshire week saw visits from Prince William, Princess Kate and Princess Anne.

Each attended the county in a different capacity with one talking about his “glory days” flying with the RAF and another getting her Victoria Beckham designer dress dirty as she worked with playdough.

Both the Princess of Wales, Kate, and the Princess Royal, Anne, visited on Thursday, October 9.

Volunteers and families at Home-Start Oxford at Rose Hill Community Centre hosted Catherine for a training session for a chance to mix with the children and parents.

As mum Sumuyya Nabatanzi put it, “we are living a dream” as admiring families had conversations with the Princess.

READ MORE: Princess honours historic RAF squadron at Oxfordshire base

Her Royal Highness and the parents supported by Home-Start Oxford discussed the challenges they are facing and how one-to-one sessions with the charity have helped them.

The Princess got stuck in with her hands being left dirty and flour at one point ending up on the sleeve of her green jacket although she didn’t seem to mind.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, during a visit to Rose Hill Community Centre(Image: Jason Dawson)

Ms Nabatanzi added: “We talked about how all the kids are engaging with the activities and how we are using the services outside there and how the kids love it.”

At the same time, Princess Anne visited the Carterton Women’s Institute on the occasion of its 100th anniversary as well as RAF Brize Norton, where she is the honorary air commodore.

She did so on the 24th Squadron’s 110th birthday.

The squadron is the fourth most senior in the UK’s air force and has served in both world wars, as well as recently sending planes to Poland as NATO tensions with Russia rise.

The visit occurred on Thursday, October 9(Image: Steve Lympany/RAF)

During the Princess Royal’s two-hour visit, she presented a Meritorious Service Medal to Master Aircrew Russell, recognising over 32 years of exemplary service.

Wing Commander Al Dow said that he felt “immense pride” in leading the squadron.

He said: “These celebrations not only honoured our squadron’s storied past but also highlighted the dedication and professionalism of our people today.”

The Prince of Wales (2nd right) looks at a main rotor head from a chinook helicopter(Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Less than a week after the two princesses visited, the Prince of Wales also came to Oxfordshire, heading to RAF Benson near Wallingford with the Crown Prince of Jordan, Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

On Wednesday, October 15, he spoke with old air force colleagues about the “glory days” when he served with the RAF Search and Rescue Force.

READ MORE: Prince William reminisces about ‘glory days’ in Oxfordshire

When he met members of the RAF in the mess at the base, he was asked if he still spent time in the cockpit.

The prince replied: “I do still fly, yeah. I keep my hours going.

“When you learn that skill set, you just don’t want it to go. I’ve definitely lost a lot of the skills I had, but I like to keep on top of my flying, keep doing it.”

“And it’s my happy place. I love flying.”