Kate Middleton has been criticised over an "entirely pointless visit" she made earlier this week.
On Monday (September 18) the Princess of Wales made her first visit to the Royal Naval Station in Yeovilton, Somerset, as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm. She was recently given the title by father-in-law King Charles.
During the engagement Kate flew with a royal helicopter, visited the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and viewed two helicopters. The future Queen was pictured grinning as she toured the base and spoke to staff at the air station.
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But not everybody was as happy about the visit as she appeared to be. Anti-monarchy group Republic took to X (formerly Twitter) to blast the Princess of Wales, branding the day out "pointless" and criticising her for using a helicopter for such a short amount of time.
The group also pointed out the royal could have used a car to travel. They wrote: "She could have gone by car. About two hours from Windsor. But instead flies by helicopter for an entirely pointless visit."
But others were not so scathing. One person wrote following the official outing: "She’s so lovely outside and inside, respectful and loyal. A great Princess of Wales."
The station at Yeovilton is one of the Royal Navy's two main air hubs and one of the busiest military airfields in the country. Kate's visit comes a month after she was handed a number of new titles after King Charles reshuffled some of the Royal Family's military appointments.
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Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time: "Following his Majesty’s Accession, the King is pleased to announce further military appointments for working members of the Royal Family. The new appointments will continue to reflect the close relationship between the Armed Forces and the Royal Family in His Majesty’s reign."
As well as Commodore-in-Chief, Kate is now the Colonel-in-Chief of the First Queen’s Dragoon Guards, and the Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force Coningsby. The last role, previously held by husband Prince William, was given to the princess in what appeared to be a sweet nod to her granddad.
Captain Peter Middleton, who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), was a fighter pilot during World War Two. He even flew from South America to London Heathrow on a plane which had Prince Philip on board back in 1966.
Monday's visit comes following a swathe of royal engagements Kate has taken on in recent weeks. The princess has been seen in public on numerous occasions, having recently concerned fans during a visit to HMP High Down, a Category C men's prison in Surrey, earlier this month.
Kate was snapped speaking to lags who are being helped to overcome addiction by the charity The Forward Trust, of which she is a patron. She even stopped in the prison's on-site gourmet restaurant, The Clink, which trains inmates in the skills needed to join the hospitality sector.
But fans were quick to spot the princess had bandages binding her fingers, sparking fears for Kate's wellbeing. The concern prompted Kensington Palace to issue a statement confirming the future Queen had sustained a "small injury, nothing serious" while exercising on a trampoline.
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