Princess Kate and Prince William have issued a joint statement on social media regarding their "incredible sadness".
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted a rare joint message on X and Instagram to express their "incredible sadness" over the tragic Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain event.
The couple wrote: "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."
Princess Kate and Prince William issued a joint statement on social media
Getty
The Ministry of Defence tragically confirmed on Saturday that an RAF pilot died during the crash.
It is understood the famous aircraft plummeted to the ground just before 1.20pm and came to rest near a building in the vicinity of RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire.
Pictures from the scene showed the plane landed near a single-storey building. A rescue helicopter was rushed to the scene.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence read: “It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today.
Princess Kate and Prince William took to social media with the above message
X
“The pilot’s family have been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”
The Prince of Wales was Honorary Air Commodore, RAF Coningsby, between 2008 and 2023, before handing over the role to the Princess of Wales in August 2023.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also shared a message on social media, writing: "Awful news to see the life of a serving RAF pilot cut short in this tragic event. My thoughts are with their family and loved ones."
Lincolnshire Police also confirmed the tragedy by releasing a statement that said the pilot's injuries were unsurvivable.
The Prince of Wales during a visit to RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in 2022
PA
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Prince William during a visit to RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire in 2015
PA
The force said: "We are sad to confirm that a man has died after a plane crashed into a field on Langrick Road in Coningsby earlier today.
"The man was the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft. Police are not in a position to confirm his name but his next of kin have been informed. Nobody else is thought to have been injured as a result.
"The incident was called into police just before 1.20pm today and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
"Sadly, the injuries the pilot sustained were not survivable and he was declared deceased at the scene. Investigations are ongoing into the cause."
