As a future head of the armed forces a lot of what he does is necessarily PR. But considering how much our government distances itself from the war, at least the Royals do not. But somehow I don't think the family of Trooper Pearson will consider it just a simple PR exercise.

Bede, Canterbury, England

Coming so soon after his misuse of RAF helicopters to attend parties and show off in front of his brother and girlfriend; this does seem suspiciously like a publicity stunt. I think the armed forces could do without this particular royal's patronage.

Dave Sommerville, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

I agree, nothing but a publicity exercise and a complete waste of tax payer's money.

The Royals, including William, are out of touch with public sentiment. Stop wasting money and time using precious resources to go to parties and do something menaingful. Advisers to the Royals need to wake up.

tony strange, axbridge, uk

PR exercise it may well be, but not a patch on Harry's excursion and the footage that just happened to be taken of him firing a gun (at what?). And how convenient that he had to be removed quickly because his cover had been blown. Farcical.

John, Bangor, UK

The Royals are old hands at PR - during WW2, the Queen Mother claimed she was able to "look the East End in the face" during the Blitz, when in reality she spent most nights in Windsor, away from the bombing of London. Then as now, it is hard to tell a genuine selfless gesture from a PR stunt.

Roy Pinney, Weston Super Mare,

It is a great shame that you quote so selectively. The vast majority of posts on Arrse were positive. What a pity that British newspapers just can't stop sniping at Prince William. He appears to be damned if he does, or damned if he doesn't.

Gene Ralinterest, King's Lynn,

what he said...

ben bradshaw, birmingham, uk

So that explains what brought Prince William to a coffee shop in Qatar a few days ago. My daughter, who is USAF stationed there (and soon to be posted to A base in Yorkshire) was privileged to meet him and shake his hand.

Karen Thompson, Sarasota, FL, USA

total waste of tax payer's money, what a shame!

stan, los angeles, usa

RAF - Royal AF.
What gives journalists - regular people like you and me - right to criticise our future king?
Let him fly the helicopters, he spent long enough bloody learning!

Adam, Manchester, UK

Wills is getting a lot of stick at the moment, but what is really wrong with him using an RAF chopper for his own transport? What does the 'R' stand for in RAF?????? Given what lies for him in the future the whole service is all practically his anyway!

Ben Robinson, Paignton, England

This could have been a PR exercise, but I doubt the flew the C17 down there to just show off the prince. It was probably heading that way to begin with, and no reporter has reported if it was the SAME plane that took him back.

Glad the Prince is showing troop support.

Jon, Goshiki, Japan

I think so too, but you have to remember, there is a Left Agenda against our Royals, they have to respond.

Adrian Peirson, luton, Britain

Yes lets get rid of the Royals then the EU can impose it dictatorship rules on us.No thanks, I like my countrys history traditions, heritage and culture.
Without those this country is far less. The Royals have my support

Adrian Peirson, luton, Britain

I think he just didn't want to be overshadowed by his younger bro, but who knows... it could have been a pr exercise.

Harmony, Louisville, KY, USA

One day in a combat zone is more than 99% of the populace can attest to and more than 99.9% of the critics.

Bradford B., Baltimore, MD, USA

how many of you critics are in the Military or have served let alone travelled into a war zone? I am a non-brit but admire the prince for at least making an effort. I bet not one of the troops saw his visit as a waste of time, but would rather know someone takes the time to visit. Shame on you

dave, London,

They are both payed to do the job they chose so they should let them both go out there and do it.If they both get killed so be it, at least they died doing the job they chose.Most of the other service men and women out there don,t have the choice where they are sent to and how long for.

mark, chesterfield,

The plane was probably on its way down there anyway so they wouldn't have spent any extra money, But he's acting like a ponse he's never going into a firefight or will never be on the frontlines yet he is still being trained and he is taking up a postion from someone who would. He should resign.

Aar, bourenmouth, UK

There should be a nice medal for the prince as a result of this mission.

Jerry, seattle , usa

Massive privilege carries with it massive responsability. I'd like to see more Royals visiting our service people in war situations. The military are quite capable of assesing the risks. Royal brothers serving in our forces seem to be and go to where ever and what ever they want!

RayB , Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

lets see ,now how can we make william look good after he used our chinook as his plaything,?i know ,lets send him to afghanistan,not for long though as granma and william wont be too happy,yes ,thats it and we can call it a secret mission,just leak it to the press in the usual way.blah.blah

m.english, pboro, u.k.

Is this sort of flight considered normal practice as part of a pilots training in the RAF? If not then it is a PR exercise.

David, London, England

Is there some conspiracy in the press?

William might have gained his 'wings' but he obviously completed a very abbreviated flying course.

He won't have been pilot in charge of the Chinook or the C17, although he might have been invited to hold the controls under supervision.

Chris Palmer, Southampton, England

He really can't win can he, damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Well at least he's worth a darn sight more than the grubby Max Clifford

Pete, Ipswich, UK

Who is paid to run the PR for the kids should be "shot". Even if it was not intended to be a PR exercise, it was going to be viewed as one. What PR people should ensure the kid sdo not behave like a bunch of lager louts. They have been born with priviledges and with those comes responsabilities

loris, milan, italy

I'm disappointed that you've quoted two of ARRSE's few critics of Prince William's flight, one of whom is an anonymous American branded with an 'O2 Thief' tag, i.e. a waste of rations. Well done to the Prince for hitching a lift with the RAF and manifestly demonstrating his support for the troops.

Rob Hoole, Waterlooville, UK

lets sack the lot of 'em! they are not worth the public money spent on them,. Waste of space.

darren , somersham, uk

Just leave the Royal family alone - this continual sniping is really tiresome. There are many of us who admire and respect them. Tell me how many civilian people would not enjoy the opportunity to do something different.

Alison, Midhurst, Surrey

It is a total joke and an obvious PR exercise not to mention a waste of tax payer’s resources. He should resign; if he wants to fly he could work as a commercial pilot and utilise the skills he’s learnt to date. This embarrassment needs to end soon!

General Windsor, London, Afghanistan

What a waste of time, money and effort for the vanity of the British establisment. The last thing Afghanistan needs at this moment in time is token gestures from the landed gentry!

Aleem, Kabul, Afghanistan