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William visits Afghanistan troops William visits Afghanistan troops
(about 2 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 from the UK to Kandahar. The prince, 25, who received his RAF pilot's wings earlier this month, 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 on Monday 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 he declared a "success". 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".
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'
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 whole trip had taken about 30 hours and "passed without a hitch".He said the whole trip had taken about 30 hours and "passed without a hitch".
After leaving Afghanistan, William, who is second in line to the throne, flew on to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.After leaving Afghanistan, William, who is second in line to the throne, 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. When details of his deployment leaked, it 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 is coming towards the end of four months of training with the RAF, where he is known as Flying Officer Wales.Prince William is coming towards the end of four months of training with the RAF, where he is known as Flying Officer Wales.
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Archive footage of Prince William training as a pilotArchive 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.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.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.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. Publicist Max Clifford said the Afghanistan trip had been "a good public relations exercise".
"Albeit [it was] only a few hours on the ground, it was good for his training, good for the RAF," he said. It follows recent criticism of Prince William when it emerged he had used a military helicopter to land near his girlfriend's home and to go to a stag do on the Isle of Wight.
The Ministry of Defence accepted there had been a degree of naivety in the planning of these flights.
Mr Clifford told BBC News: "The way it's going these days, both with Harry and William, one thing's right and the next thing's wrong. And that's the way it all seems to be panning out.
"But certainly this will get them some good headlines, I imagine."