Prince William on his way to Helvellyn's summit with mountain rescuers last July

Prince William today received his wings after completing his year-long advanced rotary training at RAF Shawbury.

He will now join colleagues at RAF Valley on Anglesey for further training as part of the Search and Rescue Force. He will take up the post after his first official overseas engagement representing the queen later this month in Australia and New Zealand.

The prince, who is patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, received his wings from a familiar figure – his father Prince Charles, acting in his capacity as Air Chief Marshall. William was said by the Ministry of Defence to have passed his training on twin-engined Griffin helicopters with ‘flying colours’.

The 27-year-old, second in line for the British throne, will train to fly the familiar yellow Sea King helicopters operated by the RAF SAR. It raises the possibility of stricken walkers, climbers and mountaineers being greeted by a famous face in the flying seat of the rescue helicopters.

In the audience at the Shropshire RAF base was William’s girlfriend Kate Middleton.

The prince met many of the men and women whom he will be supporting last summer when he climbed Helvellyn with members of the Lake District’s volunteer mountain rescue teams.