Photograph of a group portrait comprising King George V (1865-1936), wearing Marshal of the Royal Air Force uniform; Edward, Prince of Wales (1894-1972), later King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor, wearing Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force uniform; and Albert, Duke of York (1895-1952), later King George VI, wearing Air Vice Marshal of the Royal Air Force uniform.

Prince Albert had a keen interest in flying and in late 1917, after active seaborne service in the Royal Navy, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service, experiencing his first flight on 5 March 1918. The RAF was established the following month (on 1 April 1918), with the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. In the following year, Prince Albert undertook a flying training course at Croydon, gaining his wings on 31 July 1919.