Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince William, wearing a Royal Navy Greatcoat, Cap and Sword, is attending the Lord High Admiral’s Divisions on behalf of The King at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. It’s the final passing out parade of the year.
The parade saw a total of 202 Royal Navy Cadets pass out with International Officer Cadets from Oman, Kuwait, Bangladesh and Trinidad & Tobago.
The cadets have undergone 29 weeks of intensive training, which sees them train from civilians into junior naval officers who have been tested in a variety of scenarios: in the classroom, on Dartmoor, the River Dart, and at sea on board an operational warship.
William himself underwent similar training in 2008, as part of his own military training. At the time Kensington Palace said he will be “completing an intensive training course and touring Navy units. He will learn core skills including navigation, seamanship and practical boat handling.”
His father and grandfather, King Charles and the late Prince Philip, also both passed through the college.
During the parade, William took the Royal Salute and be invited to inspect the front rank of the Guard and the Royal Marines Band of Plymouth, as well as the ranks of St Vincent, Howe, and St George Divisions.
The Prince of Wales has completed seven-and-a-half years of full-time military service during his career.
He began his time as an officer in the Blues and Royals Regiment before moving on to become a pilot, training at the Royal Air Force College.
Once he qualified, the heir to the throne become a full time pilot with the Search and Rescue Force. Joining the East Anglian Air Ambulance services, a paid position, William donated his full wage to charity.
He took part in 156 search-and-rescue operations and undertook a routine operational deployment to the Falkland Islands. He also became an operational captain.
But he officially left his position as he was tasked to increase his royal duties.