Prince William set to join secret RAF Project
Prince William is to join the RAF on Monday, as part of a secret project.
Army officer William will link up with the Airforce on attachment as part of his preparations to become head of the Armed Forces. He will move to the Royal Navy in the spring.
The four-month secondment will also allow the 25-year-old prince, a Second Lieutenant with the Blues and Royals, to fulfil his ambition of learning to fly at the RAF’s elite training college, Cranwell, in Lincolnshire.
He will be known as Flying Officer William Wales and wear Airforce uniform, although he will remain under command of his Army regiment, the Household Cavalry.
William’s decision to spend time with the RAF is considered a coup in the Airforce’s 90th anniversary year.
A source at Cranwell said: “To be fair, Prince William will always be treated as a special case and we are all genuinely delighted that he is coming here.”
“That said, a few eyebrows have been raised over the cost of what is, after all, a Boy’s Own crash course in flying that most young men and women would give their teeth for.”
He has already had a strict medical assessment, in which he met “minimum medical standards” - something of a relief to William, who wears glasses in private, and had feared his poor eyesight could prevent him from flying.
The Prince’s placement also means he will start the new year with a drinking ban, as he signs up to the Force’s “bottle to throttle” ban. Pilots are barred from having more than two pints within 12 hours of flying and the second-in-line-to-the-throne will be treated no differently.
Group Captain Seward insists that William will be treated like any other junior officer - bunking down with the other would-be pilots during the week and eating in the officer’s mess.
It also means William will be parted from his girlfriend, Kate Middleton, in the week.
“He will be expected to fully integrate both at work and socially and will not be given any preferential treatment. It will be four months of hard, hard graft for him.
“There is a lot for him to achieve in the time frame which will mean early starts on a daily basis and studying late into the night. I doubt he will have much of an appetite for socialising, with or without the bottle to throttle rule.”
William will also be sent on attachment to front-line units including Support Helicopter, Search and Rescue, Air Transport and Fighter Aircraft. (via Daily Mail)
January 3rd, 2008 18:13
It’s great to hear that William is going off to the RAF next week, I just want to wish him luck and much success. I’m sure both his families and Kate wish him well. Keep safe William!
January 3rd, 2008 19:16
I wish him the best, and according to the article it will be hard working until late nights, and no drinking, this will hopefully mature much more, on the other hand, Catherine I have a message for you, girl if your love for PW is then hopefully you will also remain active with the new discovering career you lately want and are venturing in - photography. Kate remember that many other military/soldiers far away haven’t seen their family, wives, children, girlfriends/boyfriends, loved ones and are there strong, praying and happy waiting for a safe return. I feel and hope both of you give an example; PW with his RAF learning as part of the Edu (with the other part after spring, totaling 1 year) for his future responsabilities and KM companion/gf - I also know that the tabs, papz will be chasing you since you are an item, but please try your best to ignore them and at the same time don’t party much, this may distract Wills - you know its his weakness (see’s your pics - not your fault, but going out of clubs).
January 3rd, 2008 19:34
Hi Guys,
‘Me’ Just read your comment.
Sorry didnt follow all of it but it seems to me that it is one of the nicest and most sensible things anyone has said on here for a long time.
I hope they (William,Kate,tabs,papz,) all read this and act accordingly. If they do then I feel that you’ve given William and Kate the best chance they’ve had.
Well done
January 3rd, 2008 20:51
Thanks Will.
I will pray for them, what is ment to be will end up in the Church.
I do hope that these two young 25 year old couple, whom are a quarter of a century old (which is the age of, in my belief, according to Jesus Crist - to be of age) is the age to mature in independence and balancing pasion, and love, despair (all senses that may hit the heart and make you do things that you may regret when acting with the adrenaline zoomed out, although I find her pretty much balanced) to the loved ones…it will be a hard and very crucial year for them, and I hope they do not err.
January 3rd, 2008 20:52
Same here.
January 3rd, 2008 22:17
Good news! It’s about time we heard about William doing something serious, not just going out to clubs. Hopefully the no-drink policy will help him curb his drinking habits.
This relatively short period of separation will not likely affect his relationship with Kate, though as others have said, she should find something to occupy herself to ward off loneliness/boredom. Remember how Fergie strayed when Andrew went into the military! But Kate isn’t Fergie.
January 4th, 2008 04:21
i hope kate will surive the pipz and stakerazzi
January 4th, 2008 04:56
Something very strange is happening out there.
No 0ne is giving any information on sightings or movemrnts true,false or made up.
The suspicious lawyer type in me has my nose twitching
Editors do not behave like this in concert.
Has someone slapped a ‘D’ type notice out or organised a ‘blank’ out on the promise of a future happening ar a bulletin ?
Believe me something is in the wind.
January 4th, 2008 05:16
I believe so too….Will
something definately happening, I can feel it, but I’m not sure what.
January 4th, 2008 06:54
Me thinks that the only persons to have the power to keep the tabs and papz with no news (is good news) is the Establishment.
January 4th, 2008 11:06
Williams has been sighted today..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7171688.stm
January 4th, 2008 11:30
I noted that Prince William visited the Royal Marston Hospital and spoke with several female cancer patients.
If things were serious wouldnt this have been an opportune time to have introduced Kate as his ‘friend’.
Not only would it have secured their partnership but may have led to Kate becoming a patron of a worthwile Charity.
Why did they not think of that ?
January 4th, 2008 12:21
Will that is true but I think that will happen soon in the future.
January 4th, 2008 12:48
Claudius,
You must excuse my impatience.
We have sat here and seen so many oportunities when Kate could have been included
and in given her credence. If there is a strong relationship why dont these faceless bureaucrats start using their well paid brains.
If Kate’s present position as William’s partner is acknowledged then the hounds of the press will start looking elsewhere, because its new scandal that they seek.
These press people are obsesed with an engagement announcement and want to be the first with the news, so they attack at all times.
Take away the uncerainty of a break up and most of the mystique of Kate and William disappears, every one sees them as a couple and people dont then need to buy the newspapers to confirm of deny that fact. Papz then become somewhat redundant.
Someone somewhere must have some intelligence but perhaps not knowing most of the self perpetrating actions of these back room nonentities
January 4th, 2008 13:28
I think she will be hounded no matter what (unofficial or official). There is fresh news in the Sun, where PW officially has excused himself to his girlfriend KM in reference that he has to be monday at the RAF, and she will have a B-day bash party.
He will make it up to her on another free ocassion.
January 4th, 2008 13:36
Sorry for the double post.
Will, pacience is the virtue of the human being. She is after all going out with PW, there has not been any denial official report, and until then, to me they are on.
There may be a plan from the establishment that you and I don’t even know. I mean, don’t you think its weard that after Barbados we haven’t seen any pics of KM not even entering or leaving her flat, her moms place - its impossible to be locked up so many days - only if your sick. I would think she spent from friday 28/12 onwards with PW at Highgrove or even Clarence House.
January 4th, 2008 14:11
I’m reminded that it has been said in the past that William is very strong willed and will not be dictated to by the bureaucratic mafia. I am not completely in agreement with that statement but the point being made is that if William wanted it to happen, it would happen.
Any ideas anyone ?
I need help to resolve my own domestic situation
On a different matter I have been told that two very powerful motorcycles were seen several times over the New Year period in and arround the Dorchester area.
Again any ideas ?
January 4th, 2008 14:16
Sorry to hog airwaves.
The Sun will say anything. Think about story of Kate living in Clarence House.
Rubbish
January 4th, 2008 14:27
Oh sorry, its from the Daily Star, extracts:
TOP GUN WILLS MISSES KATE’S BIRTHDAY BASH
… But he has had to apologise to brunette beauty Kate over her 26th birthday bash after failing to find a way to join the celebrations next Wednesday.
… A royal source said: “He has been trying to work out a way of meeting up with Kate but it is difficult because he wants to make the right impression in his first week with the RAF.
January 4th, 2008 14:33
It IS rubbish. It couldn’t've been kept that secret for so long. Harry and Chelsy supposedly had one night together and it went worldwide.
And no news about their NYE? Please, there’s ALWAYS something, even when there’s nothing.
Harry missed Chelsy’s birthday too…
January 4th, 2008 14:48
So, you agree with me that its immposible to hide for such a long time. I tell you they are/where at a (very) large private property, its been 7 days with no “actual” pics.
And yes, he has to do his assignments, if not the Military will then have done a “special treatment” not fair at all to the rest of the RAF, Military personel/soldiers, whom haven’t seen their family a long time.
January 4th, 2008 15:36
I agree…he must be treated the same as the rest and leaving for a while even to his girlfriend’s party (or friend’s party depending on what you believe) does not make a good impression.
However, this is the second time he has missed Kate’s birthday and the second time he has missed Christmas with her as well I think. If this is the case, I hope he makes it up to her well. She has waited for him and been very patient throughout his career.
You say that Kate must be at Highgrove or Clarence House Me…but there have been periods before when there have been no pictures of her for ages, around September I think. Is it possible that she has just managed to stay ou of the publc eye?
January 4th, 2008 16:03
B, long time for me is 7 days; go back to pics from airport arrival from Barbados, Pheasant Hunt, Book Launch, Skating (cel pic)…gee whiz I also do have a different opinion and analysis from the BRW friend Will.
I’ll try to make it as short as possible, the pics in Sept/Oct. leaving Bouji - next day through CH they (PW/KM) make a statement worried about the Papz chasing them (by foot, motorcycle, car) - next time they appear 1) changed male to female bodyguards, aparently didn’t work out 2) they start leaving in separte cars (2 outings tabs/papz pics analyzed by royal fans), but the other say called stories (dinners, skating, no pic proof). That he doesn’t kiss or hold hands with her in public its their way/character. Not like Harry or even Sara !
January 4th, 2008 16:03
Exactly. There’s no way that there’d be no pictures. It’s all a bit askew.
Precisely. Hopefully he won’t get the special treatment. He has a job to do.
B, I highly doubt that. She’s been hounded forever and it’s not going to stop all of a sudden.
He has been missing birthday’s and holiday’s. That should be an indication that something is wrong.
January 4th, 2008 16:06
I agree with you Me. The proof is lacking heavily these days…and nothing about NYE at all…NOTHING.
This is definitely adding to the rumors that it’s over. But seeing how they always seem to “save the day” or “work on their relationship” something will come up to people can say, “See I told you they were fine” only for people to pay attention to see the faults.
January 4th, 2008 16:14
I also think that and I wouldn’t be surprised at all that they may be doing lots of things that we (public, including tabs, papz) don’t even know about. Only them and the in circle. Obviously I just monitor the tabs, but I also think that IMO they should and surely have their privacy in doing lots of things (2007), obviously the establishment for 2008 gave a green light to give a pre New Years eve fully detailed article/statement of PW education plans to further his preparation as future POW, King.
Now if you believe much, but not all the stories about them after breakup and read all the articles then you should have also formed your own opinion. We may agree or disagree, but one thing is for sure, everyone is wondering where they are and what they did from friday 28/12 onwards (both of them). No one knows…
January 4th, 2008 16:17
I think that if William has been with Kate over New Year then it must have been out of UK.
Kate MAY have travelled from one Airport to another.
She will in all probability be with her parents and family for her birthday
Hint; Check her car sighting
January 4th, 2008 16:29
Where can I check her car sighting ?
On the other hand, If PW doesn’t do the “commander in chief” (land, air, water) education at 25 years old, when is he then suppose to do it ? Either way or another, I find that both of them have been heavily scrutinized by everyone, if they step up forward to try something new or include it in their CV they are heavily critisized. Look at KM, she apparently is still ‘trying’ to discover what she wants to do as a “carreer”. If she later on drops the photography, you know what people will say. I call that a lot of pressure, gee I changed a lot of my plans and projects until I made the hole in one match of what I want to do for a living, not even my parents critisized me for droping a job after 7 months - I don’t like it mom/dad. She’s being watched by millions of people. If her future is not with PW, she will always be hounded by the papz.
January 4th, 2008 16:49
Even if it was out of the UK we’d know some kind of information on it since every time they go somewhere we know either before or after where they went.
We all change, but we don’t all drop our jobs because we’re confident that we’ll be getting married.
Either way, the way they’ve been acting towards each other is not that of a loving couple.
If they do get married, he should be allowed to finish doing what he wants to do before being pressured into a early marriage that he obviously feels he isn’t ready for.
They’ve been dating how long and he still hasn’t asked her? I know someone who’s dated the same girl for 7 years…he just doesn’t want to marry her but at least they ACT like they’re in love.
January 4th, 2008 18:06
No “actual” pics, but yes a new story dated today friday jan/04 from the Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=506194&in_page_id=1879
“Yes, William and Kate are house-hunting,” says a friend. “I know everyone expects that William will eventually go and live in the £5 million house being built on the Duchy of Cornwall’s Harewood Park Estate in the Wye Valley”…
January 4th, 2008 18:31
It’s amazing how when they hit a lull a new story appears to “intensify” their relationship when the way they act completely contradict it.
January 4th, 2008 18:43
Its a Rebecca English nasty article, I think someone doesn’t like her. What would it be revenge, anger, jelousy. Really, I haven’t read in my entire life such a unflattering article, that its not funny.
January 4th, 2008 21:20
Rebecca English really and truely must now be scraping the barrel. Obviously told to do her ‘original’ piece for this weekend she has gone out and plagiarised every article written over the past four (I may be open to question here as it may even be six) months. Not only that she has been too lazy to even change the paragraphs around.
The basic outine of a househunting theme is based on a recent article extolling the virtues of the house being built for Charles ostensibly to pass on to his son with all the ‘green’ fixtures and fittlings. But to guild the lilly, she decided to change venues not once but three or four times to give the impression that Kate doesnt want to associate with anything thought up by someone else.
Of course she then had to bring in the old story of Mrs Middleton’s interference in the couple’s lives. The mobile phone story, the big weding story , all previously mentioned and plagiarised. If she has been paid by the word or line then I hope her editor scrubbs out the stolen bits.
I is so obvious that she had been given the task to write the big new story for 2008 but because she had been unable to pick up the story from 28th December though to yesterday the old paragraphs had to be regurgitated.
Read it and have your own laughs.
January 4th, 2008 23:14
There’s no ring on Kate’s finger, there’s no insurance he’ll marry her.
Until then, it doesn’t mean anything.
January 5th, 2008 03:14
but according to the daily mail kate is settle home for her and wiiliam
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=506194&in_page_id=1879