(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Britain's Prince William is "pleased" to have qualified as an RAF operational search and rescue captain.

Clarence House has announced that the Duke of Cambridge passed his captaincy tests on May 29 and is now allowed to take charge of operations to help stranded mountaineers or exhausted swimmers across the UK.

The 29-year-old joined the squadron at RAF Valley in Anglesey in 2010 and has undergone two years of flying experience in Sea King helicopters.

"The duke is pleased to have passed the milestone and is looking forward to contributing in a command role to the lifesaving work of the Search and Rescue Force," a spokesperson for the prince said.

William chose to join this particular unit of the Armed Forces because he believed it was his best chance to "serve operationally".

Unlike his younger brother Prince Harry, the royal was banned from going to Afghanistan.

"Flight Lieutenant Wales, as the duke is known in the military, will now command search and rescue operations in RAF Sea King helicopters," the official statement from Clarence House read.

Last year, Prince William spoke about how much he was enjoying his training.

So far, he has only been allowed to assist as a co-pilot and take part in mock rescue scenarios including airborne searches for vessels and missing people while extinguishing a simulated fire.

"The training has been challenging, but I have enjoyed it immensely. I absolutely love flying, so it will be an honour to serve operationally with the Search and Rescue Force," he said. (C) Cover Media