**Updated** Prince William has been awarded his wings as a fully-fledged helicopter pilot during a graduation ceremony in RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.  The Ministry of Defence says he passed with “flying colours.”    Prince Charles, stepmum Camilla and girlfriend Kate Middleton were present to mark the occasion.

Prince William successfully completed year-long Advanced Rotary Training at RAF Shawbury after training on twin-engined Griffins to become a full-time pilot with the Royal Air Force’s Search and Rescue Force (SARF). He will start additional training in Anglesey, North Wales, where he will be taught to fly Sea King helicopters, after he returns from his first official overseas trip to New Zealand and Australia later this month. Wills is expected to serve in the Falklands this year as part of his training, will become an operational pilot in 2011 and undertake a three-year search and rescue tour of duty.

Prince Charles, who awarded Wills his wings, said in a speech: “‘But today is a day, I think, of great pride for all of the parents, not to mention the girlfriends. We all know how hard our sons have worked in between all the other activities that we don’t know about.”

Kate Middleton got to her feet and applauded her prince.  Pictures show them seated side by side and sharing laughs and whispers.

According to The Sun, after the ceremony, Wills arranged for Kate and the girlfriends of three fellow recruits to take a 15-minute flight in a Griffin Bell 412, the helicopter he trained in. He did not pilot the aircraft, but saw it off. And when it returned, he dutifully carried out the steps and opened the door.  Kate is said to have “loved it.”  See the video of William assisting Kate and the ladies off the chopper

William & Kate during his graduation ceremony

William & Kate during his graduation ceremony

Articles: The Telegraph | Daily Mail | Metro UK | The Sun
Belga Pictures: Wills & Kate 1 | Wills & Kate 2 |  Wills & Kate 3 | Wills & Kate 4 | Wills & Charles | Charles & Camilla
Pictures: Getty Images
Videos : BBC UK | Wills assisting Kate after the chopper ride

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