Kate Middleton in fits of giggles as she tries on a lifejacket at Royal Navy base in Somerset

The Princess of Wales looked business chic as she arrived at a naval base in Somerset this morning/afternoon – before bursting into laughter as she tried on a life jacket during an exercise.

Kate, 41, wore a £549 black blazer from Holland Cooper that she has worn before, with gold button detailing, paired with trousers and £650 black pumps with a chunky heel from Gianvito Rossi as she visited the Royal Navy Air Station in Yeovilton .

The princess, who has been Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm since last month, styled her long, thick brunette locks in bouncy, blow-dried waves, with her new 70s-style bangs framing her face perfectly. The mother of three showed off her natural beauty and kept the makeup simple with a touch of blush, a nude lip and a bronze eye.

During a visit to an aircraft hangar, the mother-of-three burst into laughter as she tried on an emergency life jacket and inflated it while wearing it around her neck. Elsewhere during her visit, she chatted with staff in the air traffic control tower.

The princess, pictured trying on a stealthy camouflage life jacket, was beaming but looked a little worried as she prepared to blow up the device.

Pulling the switch, she closed her eyes and winced as the device inflated quickly and forcefully, just as it would in an emergency situation.

Princess Kate appeared somewhat surprised by the rapid inflation and burst into fits of laughter before staff helped her remove the life jacket.

On arrival at the naval base, the Princess was pictured shaking hands with staff in the tower, where staff work hard to ensure the safe operation of RNAS Yeovilton.

The princess couldn’t help giggling as she inflated a life jacket while visiting a hangar on the base

A staff member came to the princess’s aid with the inflated life jacket to help her remove it

When Princess Kate demonstrated the life jacket, she looked a little restricted in her movements

Kate seemed a little surprised by the speed and force with which the life jacket inflated, as staff watched to make sure she did so safely

The princess burst out laughing as she tried out the life jacket and pulled the gag to inflate it

Kate beamed but looked a little worried before pulling the gag to inflate the life jacket

Staff at the base instructed the princess on how to best put on the life jacket before inflating it

Princess Kate put her arms into the camouflage life jacket, which looked unremarkable before it was inflated

The mother of three wore her thick brunette locks down and in bouncy curls

Kate chatted with the staff in the hangar as she learned how they ensure the naval base runs safely and smoothly

Princess Kate, mother of three, wore navy blue block heels to match her elegant outfit, with the blazer layered over a white top

After a morning of gloomy weather, the sun shone for the princess, who is commander-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm

While there, she had the opportunity to interact with crew members aboard an airborne Wildcat flight.

She was then shown around the hangar where she met with staff to discuss the various operations taking place within the Fleet Air Arm.

Last month, the King appointed Princess Kate Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, a position previously held by Prince Andrew.

Her solo visit comes as her husband, Prince William, prepares to fly to New York later this afternoon, where he has a busy week of New York Climate Week engagements ahead of this year’s Earthshot Prize events.

After landing at the city’s Newark Airport this evening, the Prince of Wales, 41, will visit the Billion Oyster Project, an initiative to restore oyster reefs in New York Harbour.

The project partners with local schools and engages students to solve challenges in the fight for climate conservation.

After this visit, the Prince will go to the UN General Assembly, where he will meet with António Guterres, the UN Secretary General.

Tomorrow, William will attend the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit ahead of this year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, which will take place in November.