Prince Charles will give William his Pilot’s Wings
Prince William will be presented with his pilot’s “wings” by the Prince of Wales at a graduation ceremony, Clarence House said.
The young royal is coming to the end of a four-month attachment with the RAF that has taught him about the service’s ethos, traditions and military role as he prepares to head the armed forces one day.
The Prince will award his son and more than 20 other RAF personnel with their wings at a ceremony on Friday April 11 at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
The RAF is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will join senior members of the service at a special dinner held the night before the graduation.
William, 25, is following in the footsteps of his father who completed his flying training course in August 1971 and graduated that year as a Flight Lieutenant.
The young royal’s uncle, the Duke of York, also took to the air and served his country in a flying role, piloting Sea King helicopters during the Falklands War in 1982. Andrew used his aircraft as a decoy target, trying to divert deadly Exocet missiles away from British ships.
William - an officer in the Household Cavalry regiment - began his four-month attachment at RAF Cranwell in January. He was one of the first in his class at 1 Squadron of 1 Elementary Flying Training School to go solo in a propeller driven Grob 115E light aircraft.
Describing the thrill of flying by himself, the Prince said at the time: “God knows how somebody trusted me with an aircraft and my own life. It was an amazing feeling, I couldn’t believe it.”
After a number of weeks the Prince - known in the RAF as Flying Officer Wales - moved to 1 Flying Training School at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire where he got to grips with the faster Tucano T1 plane.
By the time he graduates next week he will have completed his final placement at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire learning to fly the Squirrel helicopter.
April 1st, 2008 04:36
is kate invited?
April 1st, 2008 07:12
Why is everyone in that above photograph all looking the same way and HRH Prince William isn’t? Does he feel that he is above them in some way shape or form so that he doesn’t have to do what everyone else is doing?
Where i come from he would be ostracised for being a (for lack of a better word) ponce. (Apologies to anyone who is offended).
But really how is sending these visual messages that he is above everyone else really going to help in his longterm popularity? Or even his likeability???
He is 25. It is really time to grow up and get a life or better yet do some real work. 9-5 plus unpaid overtime and weekends, just like everybody else - he’s done what one maybe 2 events for his homeless charity in what the last 3 years??
April 1st, 2008 07:27
she probably will be,and she will be wearing red while everyoneelse was asked to where a dark color to show respect. That is what she did at his last graduation.
April 1st, 2008 07:35
Hey annoyed, Google the event and watch the video before you make any accusations!
April 1st, 2008 07:50
his girlfriends worse ,now she expects a royal guard on the slopes ,and they are not even engaged yet.
April 1st, 2008 08:42
“She expects” ! Never read “she expects”, how words may change opinions ! A pic with a Royal Bodyguard close by to her is what PM and Parliament want to investigate, most likely the very “intelligent” papz plus the press, when the pics where taken and chosen to publish only KM and the BG appear, with other people close by (Example PW, PC - PoW) chopped out. How convenient. Anyway the investigation most likely will rule out, the BRF are no fools to do something against the established laws and regulations and it will just end up in embarrassment towards the PM and Parliament.
April 1st, 2008 08:51
Annoyed,
At Sandhurst (and possibly other military schools) the person on the end (the tallest) is supposed to stare straight ahead while the others turn their heads on command.
Here’s a picture of Harry turning to the guy on the end of his line in a Sandhurst parade.
http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/LON11405161617_ms.jpeg
William was actually doing what he was supposed to be doing. No need to be annoyed.
April 1st, 2008 09:09
Yes I do think Kate will attend the graduation next week. I see Will is back, Hi Will!!! Hope to hear from you soon. Can’t wait to see the pictures from the ceremony. Do anyone know if it will be televised live?
April 1st, 2008 09:14
From a German Tabloid
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/jean64/normal_AK_13-08_01.jpg
They “speculate” more then the English tabs: says KM/PW to announce or marry in July ?
Returning back to:
PW grad ceremony, if not on TV, probably end up in youtube.
April 1st, 2008 09:20
I doubt this article. But that is just my opinion. I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised though if Harry beats them to it.
April 1st, 2008 10:44
I think Kate will attend the ceremony. For some reason, I think William will marry before Harry. Chelsy hasn’t really been to any major events with Harry.
April 1st, 2008 11:34
I don’t want to post anymore comments here in this website People don’t like what I post at all.
I am never coming back here and I won’t post anymore comments about the Royal family ever!
I should act like an adult a resposible woman.
April 1st, 2008 11:57
PAAC post whatever your feeling are. Its all a healthy discussion, people sometimes agree and disagree as well.
April 1st, 2008 12:41
Thanks for the nice advice Me it doesn’t matter what I post here I do want to be a fan of the royals you know.
April 1st, 2008 13:21
Great many people are fans to the Royals and each have his/her own opinion
April 1st, 2008 14:01
Princess April, I enjoy reading all the comments even though many don’t agree with what I say. No two people think alike on each and every subject.
April 1st, 2008 14:17
paac, don’t go it’s fun to read all coments.the world would be a dull place if everyone agreed.
April 1st, 2008 22:36
Annoyed, actually it is because he was in a position of honour as one of the top graduates in his class.
Not at all because of “a case of the snots.”
April 2nd, 2008 09:00
Interesting that after PW graduates next friday (April 11), according to the MoD website
Quote
After graduation the Prince will be attached to several front line units including Support Helicopters, Search and Rescue, Air Transport and Fighter to gain further understanding of the use of air power.
Unquote
Here is the link
http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencenews/peopleindefence/princewilliamjoinsraf.htm
So I guess the Navy stint will start in Sept. 2008
And the further attachment to the RAF is for how long ? May and June 2008..
April 2nd, 2008 09:04
” attached to several front line units” so he will be doing something similar a la PH, but with the RAF ! This news from the MoD page was written during Jan 2008, no updates, low profile, maybe he will also have his chance in the frontline (support Helicops, searh and rescue, air transport and fighter) of warzone.
April 2nd, 2008 11:52
I’m looking forward to seeing the graduation photos next week.
April 4th, 2008 04:22
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=556710&in_page_id=1773
CHECK THIS OUT!.. PRINCE HARRY UPDATE!
April 4th, 2008 04:44
Thanks bluefire! I’ve linked to it on the front page.
Great to see all the young royals out and about!