The Duke of Cambridge showed his son the inner workings of a helicopter and the cockpit of a Red Arrow Hawk as the family enjoyed a trip to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.

Eastern Daily Press: Prince George wears ear defenders against the roar of aircraft as he visits the Royal international air tattoo at RAF Fairford with his mother and father the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo: PAPrince George wears ear defenders against the roar of aircraft as he visits the Royal international air tattoo at RAF Fairford with his mother and father the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo: PA

Prince George wore blue ear defenders as William and the Duchess of Cambridge toured the world's largest military air show.

The two-year-old, wearing a white T-shirt and dark shorts, was pictured being led by the hand across the airfield after the family were greeted by Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson, chairman of the RAF Charitable Trust, and Air Chief Marshal Andrew Pulford, Chief of the Air Staff, RAF.

They met members of the Red Arrows display team in front of a Red Arrow Hawk, shortly before they took part in the show.

And George got a closer look at a Squirrel helicopter - the same aircraft William trained in while he was based at RAF Shawbury in 2009.

Eastern Daily Press: Prince George looks out from the back seat of a Squirrel helicopter similar to the one that his father trained on. He was sat in the helicopter with his mother and father during a visit to the Royal international air tattoo at RAF Fairford. Photo: PAPrince George looks out from the back seat of a Squirrel helicopter similar to the one that his father trained on. He was sat in the helicopter with his mother and father during a visit to the Royal international air tattoo at RAF Fairford. Photo: PA

The trip was the first time George, who turns three in two weeks, has joined his parents on an official engagement in the UK.

George waved to waiting crowds as the family arrived at the airfield and pointed at airplanes flying above the site.

Flight Lieutenant Jim Hobkirk, of the Central Flying School Exam Wing, showed William, Kate and George the Squirrel helicopter.

William climbed into the instructor's seat of the cockpit of the aircraft while Kate and George sat together at the back.

'As I suspected, Prince George was a bit overawed with the noise and being inside the helicopter,' Flt Lt Hobkirk said.

'It was a nice family moment. The Duke was talking about ways of flying. George was very, very quiet.

'He is not even three years old. He was very interested in the tail rotor.

'I imagine the Duke has told him about helicopters because he knew what it was - he kept saying 'tail rotor'.'

After being helped out of the helicopter by William, George reached out to be carried by Kate.

She took him for a walk around the aircraft, with the Prince pointing at parts of it and the airfield.

'They seemed very relaxed,' Flt Lt Hobkirk added.

'The Duke said he missed flying, he wishes he could fly more and he said he was envious of me.

'I think the Duchess was concerned with trying to make the young Prince happy.'