Prince William was today presented with his RAF wings by the Prince of Wales at a graduation ceremony.

The young royal is the latest member of the monarchy to learn to fly with the Royal Air Force and to be awarded the insignia.

William, 25, learnt to pilot a plane during a four-month attachment with the RAF which taught him about the service’s ethos, traditions and military role as he prepares for his ultimate role as head of the Armed Forces.

The RAF is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and last night the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and William attended a dinner with RAF personnel of all ranks at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

The station was the venue for today’s ceremony where around 25 graduates from the RAF’s Central Flying School received their wings from the Prince of Wales.

After the event, Prince Charles and his wife joined RAF graduates and their families at a reception before staying for lunch.

Pictures released today show Prince William sitting confidently behind the controls of his plane. One photograph shows the prince’s Tucano T1 plane flying in formation with another aircraft only metres away.

In another, the prince manoeuvres a Squirrel HT1 helicopter above the snow-covered rocky ground of Snowdonia in North Wales.

Prince Charles completed his flying training course at RAF Cranwell in August 1971 and graduated that year as a Flight Lieutenant. Prince William's grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, also earned RAF wings and was awarded them in May 1953 during a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

William - an officer in the Household Cavalry regiment - has been following a “bespoke” shortened course that has included time flying fast propeller planes and helicopters.

It was designed to make him a competent but not operational flier as an RAF pilot would normally spend up to four years under instruction. Later in the year the second-in-line to the throne will spend time with the Navy.

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