The Queen of Hearts receives a warm welcome at RAF College

There should be quite a few people from the Sleaford area with fond memories of the time they met the ‘Queen of Hearts’, Princess Diana, when she visited RAF College Cranwell for the Queen’s Review.

Arriving on her tenth wedding anniversary, the princess was greeted by a sea of adoring fans. She wore a buttermilk coloured suit to review the parade of graduates.

A formation of nine Jet Provosts flying past reminded her of her husband’s time at the college earning his pilot’s wings, and a mighty Vulcan bomber, four Tucanos and four Tornadoes forced her to put her fingers to her ears.

The Band of the RAF College performed on the College Hall steps, playing such tunes as the Lincolnshire Poacher.

After lunch the princess did the traditional lime tree planting ceremony and a walk about to greet the public. She was presented with a bouquet by young Hayley Elding and Michelle Leivers. Young Hayley thought she was like her auntie.