Prince William, 23, graduates university

With the Queen and Prince Charles watching from the audience, Prince William graduated from university during a ceremony in Scotland on Thursday.

The 23-year-old who is second in line to the throne after his father, Charles, wore a gown with a hood lined in red, indicating he is a master of the arts. A Scottish MA is equivalent to a Canadian undergraduate bachelor of arts degree.

William earned a four-year geography masters degree, graduating with a slightly higher grade point average than Charles did when he earned his bachelor of arts degree from Cambridge University in 1970.

William's girlfriend Kate Middleton was also one of the 260 students to graduate during the 4-hour ceremony.

After the ceremony, William chatted with the Queen, Prince Philip, his father and his father's new wife, Camilla.

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His father's office said William will spend the summer on vacation before doing three work placements: joining a mountain rescue team, working at a financial institution in London and working at a land management office on a country estate.

He'll then sign up for military training at Sandhurst military academy, where his younger brother Harry is studying.