Coronation flypast passes over Buckingham Palace despite weather

ITV News' Rachel Younger reports the RAF Red Arrows that coloured the skies above Buckingham Palace


A Royal Air Force (RAF) flypast passed over The Mall and Buckingham Palace despite the weather - with the newly-crowned King and Queen, Charles and Camilla, watching on from the balcony.

RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston had said it was "50/50" as to whether the flypast would take place, warning low cloud and rain would make it "impossible" for pilots to navigate.

The flypast was going to consist of more than 60 aircraft, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) made the decision to reduce the team flying overhead.

The RAF acknowledged it was "disappointing that the poor weather prevented all of our aircraft participating in the flypast".


Watch from the cockpit of one of the Red Arrow planes involved in the flypast

Credit: Red Arrows - MoD/Crown Copyright 2023


In a social media post, the RAF said: "The safety of spectators and our pilots and crew always comes first and the conditions weren't right for the other planned aircraft to join the flypast today.

"We are hoping for clear blue skies in June for The King's birthday flypast."

The Flypast lasted for two minutes and 30 seconds and was watched by Charles, Camilla and members of the royal family.


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