The Duchess of York won her helicopter pilot’s wings today, fulfilling a vow made on the eve of her wedding last year to Prince Andrew.

The duchess, formerly Sarah Ferguson and known in the popular press as “Fergie,” is the first member of Britain’s Royal Family to gain a private helicopter pilot’s license.

Other members of the family, including her husband, have learned to fly helicopters during military service.

“I am constantly surprised by her,” said her husband as he pinned the wings on her sweater during a ceremony at an air force base in Oxfordshire, 40 miles west of London.


The duchess said her naval pilot husband was a good backseat passenger.

“He didn’t need a sick bag,” she joked.