Kate Middleton to assume her first military-linked role as royal patron of RAF Air Cadets

Kate Middleton will soon be assuming her new role as the royal patron of the RAF Air Cadets. The Duchess of Cambridge will take up the role as honorary air commandant of the air cadets on the eve of the Air Training Corps' 75th anniversary on 7 February, according to Kensington Palace.

The patronage of the youth organisation was passed on to the duchess in December 2015 by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, after he served as the air commodore-in-chief for 63 years. He took up the patronage following the death of founding patron King George VI.

Kate, 34, has a close association to the RAF following Prince William's service with it as a search and rescue pilot. Officials are hopeful that the duchess' interest in youth issues will help them during her patronage.

"Her [Kate's] links to the RAF Family are already well established and her desire to support youth development is well recognised around the world," Air Commodore McCafferty said in a statement. "We hope that by acting as our Hon Air Commandant she can see at first hand the amazing work of our adult volunteers who deliver a truly world-class cadet experience to many thousands of young people."

"Having a new Royal patron particularly someone as approachable and friendly as the Duchess is awesome," Cadet Sergeant Tommy Dade, 18, said. "She will definitely raise our profile and, hopefully, help us recruit more volunteers so more young people get to experience cadet life," he added.

As the air cadets' patron, Kate, who is the royal patron of several youth organisations, will be carrying out her first military-linked duties.

The mother of two royal heirs — Prince George and Princess Charlotte — is also said to have become the new royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, of which the Queen has been the patron for 64 years.