Proud father Charles awards RAF wings to Prince William

PRINCE William received his RAF wings from his proud father the Prince of Wales today after completing an intensive flying course.

After more than 12 weeks training, the young royal became the fourth successive generation of the monarchy to become an RAF pilot.

At a ceremony held in the service's spiritual home – RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire – Charles awarded his son his wings as the Duchess of Cornwall looked on.

Among William's guests was his girlfriend Kate Middleton, in her first appearance with the Prince at a major official event since the young royal – a serving officer in the British Army – graduated from Sandhurst in December 2006.

The move will fuel speculation that the couple, who have been involved in an on-off relationship for a number of years, are closer than ever.

William has followed in the footsteps of Charles and his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh, who both earned the RAF flying badge.

The Prince's great-grandfather Prince Albert, later King George VI, was the first royal to serve in the RAF, between 1918 and 1919.

Before the presentations began at RAF Cranwell's College Hall, Group Captain Nigel Wharmby, the station's commanding officer, told the audience: "The graduates here today are very special people and that is why we recognise their accomplishments in this ceremony.

"To those who fly today, these badges are the most coveted of all our insignia and rightly so.

"To all the graduates, I say remember this day with great pride and enjoy it, you have most definitely earned it."