Prince William started off his trip to Tokyo with a familiar custom to the Brit: tea. The 32-year-old arrived in Tokyo on Thursday as part of a weeklong tour through Japan and China, a first for the royal.
He started his visit with a rainy guided boattour of Tokyo landmarks and stopped at the historic Hama Rikyu gardenswhere he took part in a traditional Japanese green tea ceremony by a GrandMaster, which is considered a sign of respect. The Prince carefully sipped thedrink from an antique Korean bowl and even joked, "I don't want to dropit."
Also on theroyal itinerary are visits to Beijing and Shanghai, where the second in line forthe UK throne will be highlighting British links with Japan and China andaddressing issues such innovation, trade and creativity.
And justmoments after his arrival in Tokyo, the Palace announced that Williampassed the exams he needed to qualify as an air ambulance pilot and will be begin working in his new role this summer.William passed all 14 of his exams required to work as a civilian helicopterpilot, according to the Palace, and had been studying for his air transportpilot license exams since last September.
The next fewweeks will prove to be busy for the Duke of Cambridge. Upon his return fromAsia and just weeks before the birth of his second child with wife Kate Middleton, he will undergo extra training with Bond Air Services beforestarting work for the East Anglian Air Ambulance service in the summer.
Despite his royal duties, the Prince will aim to work asclose to full time as possible, covering shifts for the team based in Cambridgeand Norwich. His salary will be donated to charity.