Her Majesty The Queen in her role as Honorary Air Commodore, made a significant visit to RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire on Friday, 6th September 2024.
This marked her first return to the base since 2017, as she met with Royal Air Force personnel and their families, learning about the welfare and support systems in place.
The Queen also toured the innovative ‘Wellness Area’, a space dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of aviators and their families.
During the visit, Her Majesty was introduced to instructors who have been working closely with pilots from the 11 Squadron Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF), which provides Advanced Flying and Tactical Weapons Training on Hawk jets for both the RAF and the QEAF. The Queen was also shown the latest in Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (CUAS) by members of No.2 CUAS Squadron, a crucial defensive unit contributing to UK Defence, NATO, and broader international security efforts.
Her Majesty’s visit also included time with the 90 Signals Unit, an elite group responsible for the RAF’s leading cyber defence capabilities. These dedicated personnel work around the world to ensure that operations remain free from adversarial interference, ensuring the security of both the Royal Air Force and the Ministry of Defence.
In a reflection of her commitment to the well-being of service personnel, The Queen toured the Station’s ‘Wellness Area’, an initiative designed to promote preventative mental health strategies. With allotments, chicken coops, and beehives, this area offers aviators and their families a tranquil space to decompress, contributing to improved mental health and recovery rates.
Her Majesty also took time to meet children from the ‘RAFA Kidz’ nursery, based at RAF Leeming, and those who help care for the base’s rare-breed chickens and bees. Following her tour, The Queen joined members of the station for a reception, before witnessing a spectacular flypast of Hawk jets, piloted by both British and Qatari aviators from the 11 Squadron QEAF.
The visit was a continuation of Her Majesty’s long-standing engagement with the RAF. In August 2023, The Queen met with RAF Leeming aviators at the RAF Club in London, during an event unveiling a portrait of the wartime heroine, Noor Inayat Khan.
