Prince William, Gentleman, Now Officer

Girlfriend Of Heir To British Throne On Hand For Military Commissioning Ceremony

(CBS/AP)  Prince William was commissioned as an army officer on Friday, and shared the spotlight at the ceremony with his girlfriend, Kate Middleton.

The two have been a couple since William's university days, and speculation about their future is a continuing subject of gossip and speculation.

With grandmother Queen Elizabeth II addressing the new second lieutenants and father Prince Charles taking the salute, William was one face in a crowd of cadets participating in "passing out" ceremonies at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, following a 44-week commissioning course.

William's younger brother, Prince Harry, was commissioned at a similar ceremony earlier this year. Both of the young royals were assigned to the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry.

CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips says there are thought to be very different philosophies behind the royal family's decisions to send the two brothers to the academy.

For Harry, it was deemed a good way to get a rather rambunctious — and inclined to get himself into trouble — member of the family to straighten up and fly right, whereas with William, it may have just been a lack of any better ideas.

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To see photos from the ceremony, click here.

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Royal watcher Victoria Mather explains to CBS News, "you always have this problem with the heir. What do you do to keep them occupied until they become king? Well, that's going to be quite a long time, and where do you keep them safe?"

Keeping him safely stored in the Army seemed like the best idea, but Phillips reports, young William isn't ever likely see bullets fly past his head, or be forced to dodge insurgents in Iraq.

"He can't be sent to Iraq. He can't be sent to Afghanistan," Mather says, "they're two of the most pointless theaters of war in modern history and if he was injured, if he was killed — can you imagine the victory for the other side in terms of PR?"

As Phillips pointed out to people who keep tabs on the royal family, the presence of William's girlfriend at the event was not at all insignificant.

Wearing a bright scarlet coat and dark hat, Middleton attracted lingering gazes from the television cameras covering the ceremony.

It was the first time Kate — who Phillips says the Royals have taken to calling Katherine, which is seen as a sign of respect in Britain's highest social circle — was invited to an event that the queen herself was simultaneously gracing with the royal presence.

Rumors have been swirling in Britain about when or if Prince William might propose to his girlfriend, and her presence Friday, along with her invitation to join the queen's family for Christmas dinner, will certainly fan the flames of intrigue.

"For those who are to be commissioned today and to those who will shortly follow, a great deal will be expected of you," the queen told cadets.

"You must be courageous yet selfless, leaders yet carers, confident yet considerate... These are very special attributes, but those whom you will command and your country too will expect nothing less. My prayer for your success and safety will follow you wherever you happen to serve."

[m_kotyk]

I don't care who his parents are but he should not be exempt from service in Iraq or Afghanistan. Privileges of birth are outdated but then so are monarchies. If he considers himself an officer then he is expected to lead from the front and not hide in the rear because his Dad is the heir to the English throne. Leaders lead; they don't hide behind Grandma's skirt.

[elgraz]

William is getting to look less like his lovely mom and more like the long faced royal family.He was better looking at the time of the funeral.

[luvny-2009]

Wow William looks so much like his mother, he is as handsome as his mother was beautiful.

[drinuk]

aeasus,

You are of course quite right and so is Victoria Mather, to a point! However as a Royal Watcher Mather has really missed the reason these boys will not see combat. She simply makes a crass political comment regarding a pointless war, which I'm sure that the Royal Family, as with the majority of us Brits and 75% of Americans agree upon.

The proceedure as been well establish in Britian since the first World War when Edward VIII was not allowed to serve in France. The effect on moral from death or kidnap would serve only the enemy. The capture of the heir to the throne would be devasting to the the forces and the population. Williams mother Diana is an example and that sadly was an accident. It would not do your son any favours to be sharing a trench with a Royal, he would be under severe pressure every day.

So please understand, In respect of both Iraq and Afghanistan our nations have nothing to gain from your son or mine dying in those theatre's of war, It is a total waste of lives. My Son as just finished 22yrs, it's been hell for my family from Iraq to Bosnia, Kosova, N.Ireland to Iraq again. I thank God he came back and pray yours will too.

[luvny-2009]

aeasus HUH??? So why is it ok to send my son???

I agree pretty sad not to mention the dumb a$$ people that started that mess...Chimp & Co

Congrats to William and Harry...if Bush is so big on military and wars why aren't his 2 in a Military School!!

[ddkem]

aeasus,

it's okay to send your son if he signed up for a VOLUNTEER army, as we have here in the USA. People KNOW they may be asked to fight when they sign on the volunteer dotted line.

[justfacts2]

Hey aeasus, is your son next in line to the British throne? That is why he cannot see battle, but Harry can. Duh!

[olebd]

Can he at least be qualified now to stand in front of the palace with one of those big fuzzy hats???

[olebd]

What a fine looking prop. Ah it was a good way for him to waste some time I guess.

[aeasus]

"He can't be sent to Iraq. He can't be sent to Afghanistan," Mather says, "they're two of the most pointless theaters of war in modern history

HUH??? So why is it ok to send my son???