News

Wed, Apr 30th 2008, 11:43

Prince William has made a secret visit to meet British troops in Afghanistan.

The prince, 25, who received his RAF pilot's wings earlier this month, flew a military transport plane for part of the journey from the UK to Kandahar.

He spent three hours with UK service personnel at the airfield on Monday before returning to the UK.

Publicist Max Clifford said it was a "good publicity exercise", but Clarence House said the trip was to familiarise William with the armed forces.

A Clarence House spokesman said the Prince of Wales and the Queen had given their permission for the confidential trip, which had been a "success".

The prince flew in a C-17 Globemaster plane which left RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, on Sunday and reached Afghanistan the following day.