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The Royals hosted the reception at the palace to mark the centenary celebrations of the RAF.
Earlier a poignant service was held at Westminster Abbey before a landmark flypast sealed the occasion.
At the palace reception the Duke of Cambridge, who wore the RAF uniform as a qualified pilot, spoke to veterans, including Jock Weatherill, 95, a wing commander of the 158th squadron.
The reception was held in a glamorous, gold-themed room at the palace, complete with chandeliers and historic portraits.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped out in a glamorous black fascinator, her hair tied back and wearing a dress by Dior and a hat by the royal milliner Stephen Jones.
It was 100 years ago in 1918 the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to create the RAF, which became the world’s first independent air service.
Prince Harry wore his No 1 RAF uniform, with RAF Regiment shoulder flashes, in recognition of RAF Honington – the home of the RAF Regiment – and also for his role as Honorary Air Commandant of the base.
And Prince Charles also wore the No 1 uniform of the RAF for the packed out service in central London.
The Duchess of Cornwall was also at the event to make the special occasion.
The flypast thundered over Buckingham Palace as the Queen and members of the Royal Family stood on the balcony in an incredible display of pageantry.
The Queen spoken of the remarkable contribution of the RAF over the last 100 years as she stood in the forecourt of the palace.
The monarch also recalled how her father was the first member of her family to qualify as an RAF pilot and served alongside the service’s founder Lord Trenchard.
World War Two spitfires joined the stealth fighter, the Lightning F-35, for the flypast while 1,300 serving RAF men and women will parade down The Mall.
The head of the Royal Air Force, air chief marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said it is a “hugely important day” and the “pinnacle” of the centenary celebrations.
He said: ”Bringing together that big parade, the new colour and the flypast – this is going to be a tremendous day, and it is about commemorating all of our history, and it is about celebrating what we do today.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are due to fly to Dublin later this evening for an overseas trip.
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