Princess Anne meets young Air Cadets during milestone visit to Northern Ireland

The Princess Royal travelled to Co Fermanagh on Thursday to mark a significant milestone for the Air Training Corps, which is celebrating 85 years since its founding.

During her engagement in the county, Anne spent time with young air cadets drawn from across Northern Ireland.

The visit saw the princess join RAF personnel and cadets at several locations of historical importance, where she learned about the service and sacrifice of those remembered there.

It was a day that combined commemoration of the past with recognition of the organisation's continuing work in shaping the next generation of young people across the region.

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At Irvinestown, Anne visited the Commonwealth war graves at St Tighernach's Church of Ireland and Sacred Heart Church, where 86 airmen who lost their lives during the Second World War are buried.

The princess took time to honour those commemorated at the sites, hearing accounts of their lives and wartime service.

She then made her way to Castle Archdale Museum, where she planted an Irish yew tree to mark the anniversary occasion.

The Ballyreagh Silver Band provided a musical accompaniment to the visit, performing for the royal guest and assembled attendees at the historic location.

Castle Archdale served during the war as an RAF flying boat station situated on Lower Lough Erne, playing a vital role in maritime patrol and anti-submarine operations.

Anne was introduced to family members of women who had served there as part of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, learning about their contributions to the station's wartime mission.

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The princess also toured displays highlighting the modern-day capabilities of the RAF.

A flypast by an RAF Poseidon aircraft belonging to No. 201 Squadron provided a stirring finale, connecting the station's proud heritage of maritime reconnaissance with the service's present-day operational strength.

Wing Commander Chris Hodges, who oversees RAF Cadets in Northern Ireland, described the royal visit as a "great privilege," adding: "We are particularly pleased with the progress our new unit in Enniskillen has made in the last 18 months."

He expressed gratitude to "the good people of Co Fermanagh for their ongoing support."

Air Marshal Sean Reynolds, Air Officer Northern Ireland, praised the cadet organisation's enduring contribution, noting that RAF Air Cadets have been instrumental "both in terms of their contribution to the RAF, but also promoting the RAF's values and developing young people to become good citizens."

He also paid tribute to the adult volunteers "without whom the Air Cadet Organisation would not exist".

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