Echoes of Princess Diana as Kate Middleton smiles in a helmet while posing in an army tank to mark Armed Forces Day
- Pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge bear a resemblance to Princess Diana
- Kate shared images of her wearing a helmet in an armoured vehicle in Pirbright
- They are eerily similar to photos of Diana taken in a tank on an army visit in 1998
Kate Middleton echoed Princess Diana as she smiled in a helmet while posing in an army tank to mark Armed Forces Day.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, shared new photos of herself helping out in an armoured vehicle on a visit to Pirbright Training Academy where she met new recruits last November.
The pictures evoke memories of late Princess as they bear an eerie resemblance to when she also donned a helmet as she drove a tank while visiting the Royal Hampshire Regiment at Tidworth in 1998.
The pictures come amid speculation that the Duchess may soon take on an honorary military role, which if it happens would also mirror Diana, who was made Colonel-in-Chief of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars a year after her visit to Tidworth.
Kate used the Instagram account she shares with Prince William to write a personal message marking the occasion.
In a heartfelt message, she wrote: ‘Today on Armed Forces Day, William and I would like to pay tribute to the brave men and women, past and present, serving in all of our armed forces, at sea, on land and in the air, here in the UK and around the world.
The Duchess of Cambridge sat in an army tank on her visit to the training base at Pirbright Training Academy
She mirrored Princess Diana, who also donned a helmet while driving an armoured vehicle with the Royal Hampshire Regiment at Tidworth in 1988
Kate proved she likes to get in on the action as photos showed her getting to know the equipment on the training base
Kate was all smiles on her visit as she met with trainers and new recruits
The Duchess visited the Pirbright Training Academy to learn about how new recruits are getting trained up
Clad in khaki, Kate met with new recruits and trainers during the trip to Pirbright Training Academy last November
‘Thank you for all you and your families’ sacrifice to keep us safe.’
She added: ‘Last year, I was honoured to spend time with the @BritishArmy to see how they train serving personnel and new recruits.
‘It was wonderful to see first-hand the many important and varied roles the military play day in, day out to protect us all, and I look forward to discovering more about the @RoyalNavy and @RoyalAirForceUK in due course.’
To show she personally had posted the message, she signed off with a ‘C’.
The Duchess, who celebrated her husband’s 40th birthday earlier this week, flashed a cheeky grin in one photo while donning a helmet, and in others she met with trainee soldiers.
Now she has visited Army personnel, plans are in place for Kate – a military wife when Prince William was a search-and-rescue pilot in North Wales – to spend time with those serving with the Royal Navy and RAF.
Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday in June every year, to commemmorate men and women who have previously served or are currently serving in the British armed forces.
Kate proved once again that she likes to get in on the action earlier this week as she had a kickabout and sipped on a beer during a visit to Cambridge with Prince William.