Prince William receives his RAF wings

Prince William today received his wings from his father, HRH The Prince of Wales, at a graduation ceremony at RAF Cranwell.

Prince William, who has spent the last four months on attachment to the RAF, has learnt to fly both Tucanos and Squirrel helicopters, during an intensive training programme which began on Tutor aircraft at Cranwell in January.

After his initial training at RAF Cranwell, which included flying solo for the first time, Prince William progressed to RAF Linton-on-Ouse where he spent a month learning to fly Tucanos. After this, he went to RAF Shawbury where he learnt to fly Squirrel helicopters, which he followed up with an attachment to the Support Helicopter Force at RAF Odiham.

As a future Head of the Armed Forces, the Prince has also spent some time learning more about the role, structure and ethos of the RAF, visiting the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton, Headquarters Air Command at High Wycombe and Search and Rescue teams at RMB Chivenor.

Following his graduation, Prince William will spend three more weeks with the RAF, visiting a number of other bases to complete his four month attachment.

During May, William will undertake a number of official engagements followed by some leave, before he begins his attachment with the Royal Navy at the beginning of June.