By Evie Andreou
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in RAF Akrotiri on Wednesday for a brief visit to show support for overseas British troops at Christmas.
Prince William and Kate Middleton visited soldiers and their families living on the base, and other personnel and members of the local community.
The Royal Airforce aircraft that flew the royal couple to Cyprus landed at around 2.30pm. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were greeted on the runway by the Commander of British Forces Cyprus, Major-General James Illingworth, British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie, defence attaché of the High Commission, Martyn Forgraves, and RAF Akrotiri station commander, Group Captain Chris Snaith.
The duchess was wearing a khaki suit jacket and black loose trousers, and was holding a clutch bag.
Right after landing, the royal couple visited hangar 903 where the prince had a casual chat with some of the military personnel.
In his short address, he thanked them for their service. He said that, over Christmas, 11,000 men and women will be deployed by the British army, royal navy and RAF in 30 countries around the world and in Cyprus, the staff is supporting efforts to defeat Isis.
He praised the military personnel stationed overseas who do their jobs without fanfare.
“You don’t seek praise or recognition. To you it is just about service,” he said.
“As we approach Christmas, Catherine and I feel strongly that praise for your work and recognition of your sacrifices is exactly what is due to you all.”
The royal couple then met staff at the warrant officers and sergeants’ mess who will be on duty at Christmas and gave them gifts. The duke and duchess had collected the presents from the military personnel’s family members during a party at Kensington Palace on Tuesday.
Prince William had the opportunity to also meet people he had served with at the RAF.
During the event, coffee and tea were served, along with cupcakes, biscuits and sandwiches.
[smart-photo]
[/smart-photo]
Despite clouds, there was no rain, allowing many children and other residents of the Akrotiri base to gather outside the officers’ mess, and wait patiently, holding flags and flower bouquets, to see the royal couple.
Among them was Corporal Pamela Duncan with her two young children.
“This is exciting,” Duncan told the Cyprus Mail. She said she had met Prince William before, but not the duchess.
She said they were informed of the royal visit about a week ago.
On whether this was the event of the year for them, another bystander said: “More than that!”
During their visit to Akrotiri the royal couple also spoke with Cypriot staff. Among them were Alki Vakana, crown counsel at the attorney-general’s office and legal advisor of the bases, and Koulla Avrram, accountant at the finance command secretariat.
“I feel proud, it was a very pleasant experience,” Vakana said. She added that she and the prince had discussed a number of issues.
The couple, according to Avraam, were just as they appear on television: “Two very agreeable persons, simple, approachable, friendly.”
On their way to the car to transfer them to their last stop before departing the island, the royal couple took their time to greet the people who were waiting outside and chatted mostly with children.
At around 5pm they set off for the opening of the Oasis centre, a space where personnel can spend some of their free time to relax, use wi-fi available there to chat with their families, use the cinema room and kitchen facilities.
The royal couple were then scheduled to depart the island.
(All photos by Christos Theodorides)
