Prince William graduates as a military pilot

Second-in-line to throne trained to be competent, but not operational, flier

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updated 10:48 a.m. ET April 11, 2008

LONDON - Britain's Prince William graduated as a military pilot on Friday, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince Charles, who passed his training in 1971.

Charles, wearing full military dress, fixed the traditional insignia badge to his son's left breast at a ceremony at an air force base in eastern England.

William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, and his father's wife, Camilla, also attended the ceremony.

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William spent four months with Britain's Royal Air Force learning to pilot helicopters and planes. His study was designed to make him a competent, but not operational, flier.

British fighter jet pilots normally spend up to four years under instruction.

William has already graduated as an army officer and is due to serve a tour overseas, most likely on board a navy warship. His younger brother, Harry, returned from Afghanistan in February.