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Princess Anne is accompanied by Station Commander Mike Neville for the parade

MORE than 100 spectators watched 50 officers of RAF Lyneham's 24 Squadron parade in front of the Princess Royal.

Afterwards a new squadron standard was presented by the royal visitor - the first in 27 years.

The Central Brass Band played the national anthem during the parade, which was followed by a lunch in the officers' mess in the princess' honour.

Andy Johnson, the Captain of 24 Squadron, said: "This is a very big occasion as it only occurs every 25 years or so.

"This is the third time in the history of the squadron and we were delighted to have Princess Anne here."

The standard, a fringed and tasselled silken banner, is mounted on a pike.

Eight selected battle honours surround the squadron's badge and a decorative border is adorned by the rose, thistle, leek and shamrock.

Wing Commander Donald Turnball said: "It is an honour and a privilege to command a squadron with such a long and distinguished history. I was especially proud to be in command on this occasion as this is a relatively rare event."

The origins of the colours and standards date back to the Second World War.

On the 25th anniversary of the formation of the RAF, in 1943, King George VI announced his intention to award ceremonial flags known as standards to operational squadrons.

The squadron must have completed at least 25 years of service to the RAF before receiving one.

The Queen affirmed her father's decision and gave her personal approval to each standard created.

The first standard was presented in March 1954 by Air Marshal Sir Charles Guest at RAF Abingdon.

In 1981, Princess Anne came to Lyneham to hand over 24 Squadron's second standard.

The squadron, which was formed in September 1915, is currently committed to overseas operations with ongoing deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where crews deliver equipment by parachute from helicopters to the troops on the ground.

RAF Lyneham was not the Princess' sole Wiltshire engagement yesterday.

She also visited the £11.1 million Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham.

Opened late last year, the centre is home to thousands of treasured documents charting the county's history.

The Princess was taken on a tour of the building by Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire County Council, and Rod Bluh, leader of Swindon Council.

She rounded off her visit by cutting a cake to mark the building's formal opening and unveiling a commemorative plaque.

Councillor Bluh (Con, Dorcan) said: "The building shows how we can invest in new designs for the future which preserve and honour our past."

"I will do everything I can to encourage people to make good use of this archive and its resources."

2:40pm Saturday 10th May 2008

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