The RAF Association was immensely honoured when Her Majesty followed in her father His Majesty King George VI’s footsteps to become the royal patron of the Association in 1952. Her patronage over seven decades has helped to shine a spotlight on the vital work of the Association, aiding us in our mission to provide life-changing support to members of the RAF community and enabling them to lead the lives they deserve.

Her Majesty The Queen played a special role within our organisation and was unwavering in her position as advocate for those who serve, and have served, in the Royal Air Force.

Her Majesty’s commitment to our cause endured throughout her patronage. In a letter to the Association in her Platinum Jubilee year she commended the charitable works we undertake. She wrote of the enormous number of people who rely on the support of the Association each year and expressed her admiration for the significant impact the charity and our members have on the RAF community.

Having been a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, Her Majesty The Queen embodied the fortitude and resilience of our Second World War generation. Her sense of service to the nation and strength of character have been an inspiration to us all. We are immensely thankful for her lifetime of faithful service and we mourn her passing deeply.

As our patron, we will be forever grateful for the contribution Her Majesty made to the RAF Association.

The RAF Association has created an online book of condolence, where people can record their messages of sympathy for the Royal Family. This will be sent to His Majesty The King following Her Majesty’s funeral. The book can be found at https://condolence.rafa.org.uk/.

All national and RAF Association flags should be lowered to half-mast until, and including, the day of the funeral. Flags that adorn door entrances, or other locations that mean they cannot be flown at half-mast, should be draped with a black ribbon. Pictures of Her Majesty will remain in place and there is no requirement to drape them with ribbon or fabric.

The recommended dress code when representing the Association during the mourning period is as follows:

  • Men’s civilian dress: sombre/dark suit, black tie (the Association/other ties are not to be worn) and medals (plus, for Standard Bearers, approved Association headdress and white gauntlets)
  • Women’s civilian dress: sombre/dark suit/dress and medals (plus for Standard Bearers, approved Association headdress and white gauntlets)

The RAF Association will be represented by a standard bearer who will join representatives of organisations from across the Armed Forces community lining the route of Her Majesty’s funeral procession.

Our dedicated welfare team is here to help you and all RAF Association welfare and wellbeing services will continue as normal. Whether you need someone to talk to, help finding financial support, or something else entirely, we can help you find a solution. If you feel we could help you or know somebody who would benefit from our support you can call us on 0800 018 2361 or by contacting us and a member of the Welfare Team will be in touch.

All social events planned during the mourning period will be cancelled or postponed. Meetings will only be held if they are deemed to be operationally essential. The Association will continue to be represented at commemorations and remembrance services, unless they are due to take place on the day of the funeral.

We are mindful that this period of national mourning coincides with our annual Wings Appeal fundraising. In line with other military charities whose Patron was Her Majesty the Queen, we will continue with most fundraising activities – mindful that fundraising is vital to our ability to help members of the RAF community in need of support. The exception to this is the day of the State Funeral, when all fundraising activity will cease as a mark of respect.

We have cancelled all social media and web output planned for release during the national mourning period, with the exception of communications directly related to our welfare services.