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William visits Afghanistan troops William visits Afghanistan troops
(about 3 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 received his RAF pilot's wings earlier this month, 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 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 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.
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."
I think the cynics amongst us will say it's an attempt to cover up the Chinook jollies Ken WharfeFormer royal protection officerI think the cynics amongst us will say it's an attempt to cover up the Chinook jollies Ken WharfeFormer royal protection officer
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.
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.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.
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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The background to Prince William's trip to Afghanistan
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.
PR exercise?
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.
Publicist Max Clifford said the Afghanistan trip had been "a good public relations exercise".Publicist Max Clifford said the Afghanistan trip had been "a good public relations exercise".
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.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.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. Mr Clifford told BBC News the trip would get "some good headlines".
"But certainly this will get them some good headlines, I imagine." "It is a good public relations exercise for William, in view of the bad publicity last week where he was dropping in on Kate Middleton's family in an RAF helicopter.
"Bad week last week, good week now."
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The background to Prince William's trip to Afghanistan
Former royal protection officer Ken Wharfe said William would have been in no real danger during his visit to the war zone.Former royal protection officer Ken Wharfe said William would have been in no real danger during his visit to the war zone.
He also thought the visit was a public relations exercise.He also thought the visit was a public relations exercise.
"I'm slightly sceptical about this. I think the cynics amongst us will say it's an attempt to cover up the Chinook jollies," he said."I'm slightly sceptical about this. I think the cynics amongst us will say it's an attempt to cover up the Chinook jollies," he said.
But the BBC's Mark Worthington said Clarence House saw the visit as part of William's ongoing "familiarisation" with the armed forces ahead of him becoming its head in the future.
Our correspondent said: "There are some suggestions this may be some kind of PR stunt. That is not what Clarence House would say at all. They would stress the importance of this process of learning what he will one day head.
"Of course there is no suggestion that this was in any way a heroic gesture by Prince William, but the fact remains he did take himself to the front line. The Royal Family did sanction it and I am sure there will be many personnel who will be thanking him for making that visit."