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William graduating from Sandhurst William graduating from Sandhurst
(about 1 hour later)
Prince William is being commissioned as an officer into the British Army as he graduates from Sandhurst. Prince William is being commissioned as an officer into the British Army after graduating from Sandhurst.
The prince, who has been described by fellow trainee officers as "a normal guy", will become a 2nd Lieutenant. The Queen, Prince Charles and other members of the royal family attended a parade marking the end of his training at the royal military academy.
His girlfriend Kate Middleton is watching the 24-year-old future King on the parade ground. His girlfriend Kate Middleton also watched the 24-year-old prince, who is second in line to the throne.
William, who has been described by fellow trainee officers as "a normal guy", will become a 2nd Lieutenant.
The ceremony comes the day after the official investigation into the death of William's mother, Princess Diana, concluded she died in an accident.The ceremony comes the day after the official investigation into the death of William's mother, Princess Diana, concluded she died in an accident.
Both William and his brother Prince Harry welcomed the "conclusive findings" of Thursday's report by Lord Stevens and called for speculation surrounding their mother's death to come to an end.Both William and his brother Prince Harry welcomed the "conclusive findings" of Thursday's report by Lord Stevens and called for speculation surrounding their mother's death to come to an end.
'Lobbing potatoes''Lobbing potatoes'
The Sandhurst ceremony involved up to 465 cadets, including 78 women, with more than 220 officer cadets such as the prince passing out and receiving their commissions.The Sandhurst ceremony involved up to 465 cadets, including 78 women, with more than 220 officer cadets such as the prince passing out and receiving their commissions.
At the traditional passing out ceremony, the Queen, dressed in a dark red hat and coat, inspected the cadets and took the Sovereign's Parade. She went on to give a speech. Prince William acted as a marker during the Sovereign's parade to ensure the cadets marched in a straight line.
The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and William's stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall were also attending. He will officially be awarded the title of 2nd Lieutenant at midnight.
The Queen, dressed in a dark red hat and coat, inspected the cadets and stopping briefly in front of her grandson to say a few words which made the prince smile.
She then said in a speech to all the graduating trainees that a "great deal" was expected of them.
He's just a normal guy that gets stuck in like everybody else Junior Under Officer Angela LaycockHe's just a normal guy that gets stuck in like everybody else Junior Under Officer Angela Laycock
This is the first occasion that Ms Middleton has been at a high-profile public event as Prince William's guest that is also attended by the Queen and other senior royals. "You must be courageous, yet selfless, leaders yet carers, confident yet considerate and you must be all these things in some of the most challenging environments around the world," she said.
The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and William's stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall were also attending the ceremony.
It is the first occasion that Ms Middleton has been Prince William's guest at a high-profile public event that is also attended by the Queen and other senior royals.
She arrived at the ceremony dressed in a black hat and scarlet coat and was joined by the prince's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.She arrived at the ceremony dressed in a black hat and scarlet coat and was joined by the prince's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.
As they sat in the front row of one of the general stands rather than in the VIP seats, a member of Sandhurst said: "That's how they wanted to be today, like everybody else." The Queen stopped briefly to speak to her grandson
Junior Under Officer Angela Laycock, who is in the prince's Blenheim Platoon, earlier said the prince was not regarded any differently by his fellow cadets.Junior Under Officer Angela Laycock, who is in the prince's Blenheim Platoon, earlier said the prince was not regarded any differently by his fellow cadets.
She said: "He's just a normal guy that gets stuck in like everybody else." Miss Laycock, 24, said: "He's just a normal guy that gets stuck in like everybody else."
Miss Laycock, 24, said that on riot training he had been "grabbing potatoes and lobbing them at the force protection people just like the rest of us". On riot training he had been "grabbing potatoes and lobbing them at the force protection people just like the rest of us," she said.
'Hard work''Hard work'
Major General Peter Pearson, Commandant of Sandhurst, said the prince had undergone the same gruelling regime as other trainee officers.Major General Peter Pearson, Commandant of Sandhurst, said the prince had undergone the same gruelling regime as other trainee officers.
Becoming an officer "takes a lot of hard work" he said. Becoming an officer "takes a lot of hard work", he said.
The prince, second in line to the throne, has chosen to join the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals alongside his brother Prince Harry, who graduated from Sandhurst earlier this year. The prince has chosen to join the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals alongside his brother Prince Harry, who graduated from Sandhurst earlier this year.
The Prince has expressed a wish to serve in combat
Both princes have indicated they are prepared to fight in zones of conflict.Both princes have indicated they are prepared to fight in zones of conflict.
Major Pearson said it was "perfectly understandable" that they would want to "go where their soldiers go". The Prince has expressed a wish to serve in combat
But he added: "It's a tricky decision that, thankfully, I don't have to make but I can perfectly understand why both of them want to serve with their soldiers." Major General Sebastian Roberts, general officer commanding the Household Division and Prince William's new boss, indicated it was possible that the prince could be deployed to a conflict zone.
Major General Sebastian Roberts, general officer commanding the Household Division and Prince William's new boss, said the prince's deployment to a conflict zone could not be ruled out.
"Of course there are special factors for William, but nothing should be ruled in or out," he said."Of course there are special factors for William, but nothing should be ruled in or out," he said.
He added that the prince had done "very well" at the military academy in Camberley, Surrey.He added that the prince had done "very well" at the military academy in Camberley, Surrey.
Footage of the prince on exercise and handling a practice hostage situation has been released to coincide with the ceremony.
The prince is shown aiming his SA80 rifle with yellow safety cap at a "hostage taker" and shouting: "Put the weapon down".
More training
The prince will now spend four months at Bovington Camp in Dorset, training to become a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit.The prince will now spend four months at Bovington Camp in Dorset, training to become a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit.
Cornet Wales, as he will be known, will start a troop leaders course, which Prince Harry has already completed.
Unlike Prince Harry who will continue as a "career soldier", Prince William will go on to spend time with both the RAF and the Royal Navy on familiarisation attachments to prepare him for his future role.Unlike Prince Harry who will continue as a "career soldier", Prince William will go on to spend time with both the RAF and the Royal Navy on familiarisation attachments to prepare him for his future role.
He will increasingly carry out public engagements in parallel to his military career.He will increasingly carry out public engagements in parallel to his military career.