Prince completes helicopter course - graduate jobs

Prince William has graduated from an advanced helicopter training course at RAF Shawbury.

His father The Prince of Wales presented him and his fellow students with their graduation certificate as girlfriend Kate Middleton got to her feet and applauded enthusiastically. The Duchess of Cornwall was also in attendance.

The Prince, known as Flight Lieutenant Wales, has spent a year training at the base in Shropshire.

He appeared relaxed and animated during the 30-minute ceremony, smiling broadly and whispering frequently to Kate, who was seated next to him.

Later in the month he will move to RAF Valley on Anglesey, North Wales, where he will be taught to fly Sea King helicopters.

The 27 year old will learn to manoeuvre the aircraft with pinpoint accuracy, enabling him to rescue stricken mountaineers or exhausted swimmers in treacherous conditions.

William is following in the footsteps of his father Charles, who served as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot, as did his uncle, the Duke of York, who was a Sea King helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War.