Prince William and Kate’s turbulent flight has two aborted landings in Islamabad

Prince William has said he and wife Kate are fine after their turbulent flight’s landing in Islamabad was aborted twice.

The Royal Air Force flight was caught in a severe thunderstorm and forced to return to Lahore.

William and Kate were travelling to Pakistan’s capital as part of a four-day official visit to the country.

Lightning could be seen near the carrier plane’s right wing as it shook during turbulence.

The plane was in the air for more than two hours for a 25-minute journey due to the thunder and lightning.

It was forced to turn back when it was unable to land at the Pakistani Royal Air Force base and also a commercial airport.

Sky’s royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, who was travelling on the plane, said: “Other journalists and reporters could see lightning and storms out of the window as the plane bounced around.

“The crew tried to land at two airports in Islamabad but decided the storm meant it wasn’t safe to land and it was safer to fly back to Lahore.

“As soon as we landed, Prince William came to the back of the plane to check that the press pack was okay.

“I have flown a lot, especially on royal tours, but never experienced turbulence like it.”

She added: “The RAF crew could not have done more to reassure us and try to keep us calm.”

One passenger described the flight as a “rollercoaster” and said it was a “pretty serious storm”.

Another said it was “pretty hairy at times”.

They continued: “The plane was making large jerking movements as we tried to battle through the wind.”

Prince William, who came to check on travelling media after the flight landed, joked “I was flying!” in reference to his time as an air ambulance pilot.

Earlier in the day, the royal couple attended a birthday party at the SOS Children’s Village, a charity which provides a home for around 150 orphaned young children.

They also visited a cancer hospital in Lahore which had previously hosted William’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Kate took part in a toy tea party at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, wearing a matching toy tiara with seven-year-old Wafia Rehmani.

Wafia’s brother, Hedyatullah, said: “Her father calls her princess and she likes to wear a crown. Now she is looking forward to meeting a real princess.”

(c) Sky News 2019: Prince William and Kate’s turbulent flight has two aborted landings in Islamabad