Princess Kate and Prince William have issued a joint statement on social media regarding their “incredible sadness, RAF Coningsby

The Prince and Princess of Wales posted a rare joint message on X and Instagram to express their “incredible sadness” over the tragic Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain event.

The couple wrote: “Incredibly sad to hear of the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby.

“Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family. W & C.”

The Ministry of Defence tragically confirmed on Saturday that an RAF pilot died during the crash.

It is understood the famous aircraft plummeted to the ground just before 1.20pm and came to rest near a building in the vicinity of RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire.

Pictures from the scene showed the plane landed near a single-storey building. A rescue helicopter was rushed to the scene.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence read: “It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today.