A statement issued by Britain’s Defence Ministry recently revealed that Prince William had landed an air force chopper in the home premises of his girlfriend’s parents. This incident, which was stated to have occurred on 3 April, was criticized by the British media widely. It condemned the act stating the exercise was wasteful, especially at a time when the British military was under strain due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The media in Britain further warned that Prince William’s knee jerk reaction risked testing the public’s patience with the monarchy.

  

The ministry statement, however, also underscored that the landing of the chopper in the Middleton family farm on 3 April was pre-planned and permitted as part of the prince's Royal Air Force pilot training. The statement informed that the aircraft had landed in the field, after taking all essential safety measures and was on the ground for 20 seconds. It underscored that no one had got on or off the aircraft. The excuse given was the military lacks landing sites and often sought permission from landowners to use their fields for training exercises.

 

The romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton has bloomed since both were students at St. Andrews University in Scotland. Girlfriend Middleton's parents happen to be self-made millionaires, who operate a children's party favors mail-order Company from their farm in southern England. This farm is located 16 miles northwest of Odiham air force base, where the prince began his flight. Recently, the air force faced another criticism for permitting William to fly a Chinook helicopter from London to the Isle of Wight to attend a bachelor party for his cousin Peter Phillips on the day the prince was awarded his wings. William's brother, Prince Harry, was also on board.