**Royal Reunion: Waleses Welcome Jordanian Royals at Windsor**

The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance today at Windsor Castle, joining Prince William to welcome Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and his wife, Princess Rajwa. The couple greeted their royal friends with smiles during a scheduled audience this morning. While the meeting was initially set for William and the Crown Prince, Kate and Rajwa also participated, highlighting their friendship.

The Waleses have a longstanding relationship with the Jordanian royals, having attended their lavish wedding in June 2023. This friendly gathering precedes a visit by William and Hussein to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire later in the day. At the base, they met with personnel and learned about their roles and experiences in military operations worldwide. RAF Benson is crucial for providing rapid support for UK military efforts and is home to several squadrons, including No. 22 Squadron, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary.

Among the crew present was Lt Col Mohammad Yousef Awad Alzu’bi, a Jordanian pilot from RAF Shawbury, and Flt Lt Peter (PJ) Howard, who instructed Prince William during his flying training. Both princes are trained helicopter pilots, with William having completed his training at RAF Shawbury and later as a search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley. The Crown Prince finished his pilot training with the Royal Jordanian Air Force in 2019.

A spokesperson from Kensington Palace remarked, "Today’s engagements highlight the strong relationship between The Prince and The Crown Prince, as well as their mutual respect and support for the Armed Forces."

The bond between William and Hussein has been evident for several years. In 2018, during a solo trip to Jordan, William visited Hussein's residence to watch a football match. He had missed England's victory over Panama in the World Cup, so the Crown Prince recorded it for him. Kensington Palace later shared a photo of the two watching the match together on a large screen.

Additionally, Queen Rania, Hussein's mother, is a member of William's Earthshot Prize Council. The couple welcomed their first child, Princess Iman, last August, further solidifying the ties between the two royal families. The visit today underscores the ongoing friendship and collaboration between the British and Jordanian royal families, particularly in their shared commitment to supporting the armed forces.