Kate watches William graduate

The second in line to the throne was among the young graduates presented with a certificate by his father, left, during the 30-minute ceremony at the Shropshire base, watched by the Duchess of Cornwall and Ms Middleton, 28, who stood and applauded.

Prince William, known as Flight Lieutenant Wales, spent 12 months training at RAF Shawbury and is now set to move to RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales, where he will be taught to fly Sea King helicopters.

The 27-year-old is following in the footsteps of his father Charles, who served as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot, as did his uncle, the Duke of York, who was a Sea King helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War.