Australia, January 15: Prince William completed a key stage in his pilot training Friday, cementing his military career just days before embarking on his first official overseas royal tour to New Zealand and Australia.
Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson, known as Flight Lieutenant Wales, was presented with his flying badge by his father Prince Charles after graduating from an advanced helicopter training course with the British Royal Air Force (RAF).
The 27-year-old spent a year training at RAF Shawbury in central England and will move to RAF Valley in Wales late January, where he will be taught to fly Sea King helicopters with the goal of becoming a search and rescue pilot.
Britain’s royals have long engaged in military service in recognition of the monarch’s role as head of the armed forces, and despite maintaining his duties as prince, officials said William is committed to his career as a pilot.
The second-in-line to the throne was to arrive in New Zealand on Sunday for his first official overseas visit and his first official tour representing Queen Elizabeth.
The decision to send the young prince rather than his father has caused press speculation that he is supplanting him in the line of succession, with some suggesting he is becoming a “shadow king.” But palace officials deny this.
“His priority is being a serving officer in the RAF but where appropriate, he will carry out engagements, and this is one such engagement,” a spokeswoman for Clarence House, Prince William’s official residence, said.
Prince Harry, William’s 25-year-old brother, is also in the military and is training to become an army air corps helicopter pilot.
“The queen has always encouraged the young princes to take on more formal duties, while respecting their service to their country and their military careers, which are seen as a priority,” the spokeswoman said.
“The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) is obviously pleased to see Prince William step up and represent the queen in a realm, he is Prince William of New Zealand.”
On Tuesday, William will travel to Australia for a more informal three-day trip involving visits to an Aboriginal community centre and an Australian army base, as well as a trip to rural areas devastated by bushfires in 2009.
—Agencies