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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 as he graduates from Sandhurst.
The prince, who has been described by fellow trainee officers as "a normal guy", will become a 2nd Lieutenant.The prince, who has been described by fellow trainee officers as "a normal guy", will become a 2nd Lieutenant.
His girlfriend Kate Middleton has arrived to watch the 24-year-old future King on the parade ground. His girlfriend Kate Middleton is watching the 24-year-old future King on the parade ground.
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 will involve 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 will take the Sovereign's Parade and give a speech. 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.
The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and William's stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall were also expected to be attending. The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and William's stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall were also attending.
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.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.
She arrived at the ceremony dressed in a black hat and salmon-coloured coat. 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.
Junior Under Officer Angela Laycock, who is in the prince's Blenheim Platoon, said the prince was not regarded any differently by his fellow cadets. 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."
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."She said: "He's just a normal guy that gets stuck in like everybody else."
Miss Laycock, 24, said the only difference was that "sometimes we'll see his name in the paper and you didn't notice he'd been off that evening doing a charity do." 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 added.
'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, 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 expressed a wish to serve in combatThe Prince has expressed a wish to serve in combat
Both princes have indicated they are prepared to fight in zones of conflict, but it is not likely a future monarch would be allowed to see front-line action. 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".Major Pearson said it was "perfectly understandable" that they would want to "go where their soldiers go".
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."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, said the prince's deployment to a conflict zone could not be ruled out.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.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".The prince is shown aiming his SA80 rifle with yellow safety cap at a "hostage taker" and shouting: "Put the weapon down".
More trainingMore 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.Cornet Wales, as he will be known, will start a troop leaders course, which Prince Harry has already completed.
Prince William will be in charge of around a dozen soldiers who are equipped with four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles.
The "recce" unit is used to find out where the enemy is and how to get through the terrain ahead.
The regiment has seen operational duty with the United Nations and Nato in Bosnia and Kosovo.
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.