In photos: 'Prince William Receives his 'Wings''

UK Features

By M&C News Apr 11, 2008, 14:37 GMT

In his capacity as Air Field Marshal, Britain's heir to the throne Prince Charles (left) congratulates his son Prince William on graduating from Royal Air Force (base) Cranwell in Lincolnshire, northern England 11 April 2008. William was among 25 graduates who received their 'wings' after several months of training. EPA/MICHAEL DUNLEA

Britain's Prince William takes control of his Tucano training aircraft for a flight over the valleys, hills and lakes of the Lake District in northern England in this picture taken 25 March 2008 and made available 11 April 2008 by the Ministry of Defence. Today Britain's heir to the thone Prince Charles will present to his son his RAF pilot's wings in a ceremony at RAF Cranwell in northern England. Flying Officer Wales, training with the RAF since January, is one of 25 graduates who will receive their wings. (uncropped version of MOD04) EPA/Sgt Graham Sparks EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY MOD Crown Copyright EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Britain's Prince William (LEFT) goes over flight plan details with unidentified training colleague at the Royal Air Force base Linton-on-Ouse, 11 February 2008 in this picture made available 11 April 2008 by the Ministry of Defence. Today Britain's heir to the thone Prince Charles will present to his son his RAF pilot's wings in a ceremony at RAF Cranwell in northern England. Flying Officer Wales, training with the RAF since January, is one of 25 graduates who will receive their wings. EPA/Sgt Graham Sparks EPA/Sgt Graham Sparks EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY EPA/Sgt Graham Sparks EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

A smiling Kate Middleton accompanies Britain's Prince William after he became a pilot of the Royal Air Force in a graduation ceremony held at RAF Cranwell in northern England 11 April 2008. Middleton's re-emergence on the public stage immediately sparked fresh speculation that William, who will be 26 in June, could soon propose to his long term girlfriend. William received his wings from his father Prince Charles. EPA/MICHAEL DUNLEA

The long-term girl-friend of Britain's Prince William, Kate Middleton chats to guests (not in picture) at a reception which followed the graduation of the prince as an RAF pilot at Royal Air Force (base) Cranwell in northern England 11 April 2008. Her re-emergence on the public stage immediately sparked fresh speculation that their relationship is very much back on again and that the Prince, 26 in June, could soon propose to her. EPA/MICHAEL DUNLEA

Britain's Prince William receives instructions from Squadron Leader Rich Alison who takes him through the day's training programme at the Royal Air Force base Shawbury in central England 25 March 2008 in this picture made available 11 April 2008 by the Ministry of Defence. Today Britain's heir to the thone Prince Charles will present to his son his RAF pilot's wings in a ceremony at RAF Cranwell in northern England. Flying Officer Wales, training with the RAF since January, is one of 25 graduates who will receive their wings. EPA/Sgt Graham Sparks EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Britain's Prince William prepares his Tucano training aircraft for take off at the Royal Air Force base Linton-on-Ouse, March 25 2008 prior to a flight over the Lake District in northern England in this picture made available 11 April 2008 by the Ministry of Defence. Today Britain's heir to the thone Prince Charles will present to his son his RAF pilot's wings in a ceremony at RAF Cranwell in northern England. Flying Officer Wales, training with the RAF since January, is one of 25 graduates who will receive their wings. EPA/Sgt Graham Sparks EPA/Sgt Graham Sparks EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Britain's Prince William in full pilot gear, heads for another helicopter training session at the Royal Air Force base Shawbury, in Shropshire, central England on March 25 2008 in this picture made available 11 April 2008 by the Ministry of Defence. Today Britain's heir to the thone Prince Charles will present to his son his RAF pilot's wings in a ceremony at RAF Cranwell in northern England. Flying Officer Wales, training with the RAF since January, is one of 25 graduates who will receive their wings. EPA/Sgt Graham Sparks EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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bohoApr 11th, 2008 - 17:03:44

I thoroughly despise ms middleton
a hanger oner that can only watch william from teh side lines and do no good of her own in this life

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You know?Apr 12th, 2008 - 05:39:55

The british royal family is the laziest bunch of people I know. They don't hold real jobs and they sponge off tax payers donations. That's ridiculous! Look at that funny looking queen they have, or that skirt-wearing princess for a 'crown prince' they have just ridiculous. They are lazy, stupid, and ugly as hell.

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YankeeApr 15th, 2008 - 06:32:48

I think that boy looks kinda gay just like his daddy.

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So what are Prince Charles's 31 medals for?Apr 22nd, 2008 - 10:27:21

Prince Charles has risen to four star rank in the armed services, but what are all his medals for?

The Prince of Wales has just turned 58, an occasion marked by rising to four-star rank in each of the armed services - a general in the Army, admiral in the Navy and air chief marshall in the RAF, further adding to the breast-full of medals he wears with his military uniforms.

But Prince Charles last saw active service - rather than his honorary or ceremonial roles - 30 years ago. After training in the early 1970s, he served in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, culminating in 1976 as captain of coastal minesweeper HMS Bronington.
So what are his collection of 31 decorations for?
Unlike his brother Andrew, awarded the Falkland Islands medal, Prince Charles has NOT been decorated for active service in a war. Instead his honours are made up of awards for serving in a particular time or place, being a member of a high-ranking order or medals from other countries.
Some, like the coronation and jubilee awards, mark the fact that he was present for these events and ceremonies. The golden jubilee medal was awarded to all serving personnel of five years standing.
Fortunate, as he would be hard-pressed to fit all on at once. In addition to his domestic honours he has neck orders, breast stars, medals, decorations and awards from another 18 other countries, many of them given to mark his birthdays by his mother and the rest of them were given to him as presents.

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In photos: 'Prince William Receives his 'Wings''

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