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William visits Afghanistan troops William visits Afghanistan troops
(about 4 hours later)
Prince William has made a secret visit to meet British troops in Afghanistan.Prince William has made a secret visit to meet British troops in Afghanistan.
The prince, 25, who has been awarded his RAF pilot's wings, flew a military transport plane for part of the journey and arrived in Kandahar on Monday. The prince, 25, who has been awarded his RAF pilot's wings, flew a military transport plane for part of the journey from the UK to Kandahar.
He spent three hours with UK service personnel at the airfield before returning to the UK. He spent three hours with UK service personnel at the airfield on Monday before returning to the UK.
A Clarence House spokesman said the Prince of Wales and the Queen had given their permission for the confidential trip, which had been a "success". A Clarence House spokesman said the Prince of Wales and the Queen had given their permission for the confidential trip, which he declared a "success".
The prince flew in a C-17 Globemaster plane which left RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, on Sunday and reached Afghanistan the following day.The prince flew in a C-17 Globemaster plane which left RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, on Sunday and reached Afghanistan the following day.
'Without a hitch''Without a hitch'
A Clarence House spokesman said: "The purpose of the trip was for the prince to familiarise himself with the operations of the RAF in theatre."A Clarence House spokesman said: "The purpose of the trip was for the prince to familiarise himself with the operations of the RAF in theatre."
He said the visit "had passed without a hitch". He said the whole trip had taken about 30 hours and "passed without a hitch".
Archive footage of Prince William training as a pilot After leaving Afghanistan, William, who is second in line to the throne, flew on to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
The whole trip took about 30 hours, the spokesman added.
After leaving Afghanistan, William flew on to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Earlier this year, Prince William's younger brother Harry was serving on the front line in Afghanistan but his tour of duty was cut short after a media blackout broke down.Earlier this year, Prince William's younger brother Harry was serving on the front line in Afghanistan but his tour of duty was cut short after a media blackout broke down.
The leak led to fears Harry would be targeted by the Taleban and he was returned to the UK having served for 10 weeks.The leak led to fears Harry would be targeted by the Taleban and he was returned to the UK having served for 10 weeks.
'Morale boost''Morale boost'
Prince William's trip to Afghanistan has come at the end of his training with the RAF, which is designed to prepare him for the day when he is head of the armed forces. Prince William is coming towards the end of four months of training with the RAF, where he is known as Flying Officer Wales.
Earlier this month, he was presented with his pilot's wings by his father, Prince Charles, at a graduation ceremony. Advertisement
Archive footage of Prince William training as a pilot
The attachment is designed to teach him about the force's ethos, military role and traditions and prepare him for the day when he is head of the armed forces.
Earlier this month, he was presented with his RAF pilot's wings by his father, Prince Charles, at a graduation ceremony.
In June, he will begin a new attachment with the Royal Navy.
Former royal press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, said the prince's trip would have been good for RAF morale.Former royal press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, said the prince's trip would have been good for RAF morale.
"Albeit only a few hours on the ground, it was good for his training, good for the RAF," he said. "Albeit [it was] only a few hours on the ground, it was good for his training, good for the RAF," he said.