The newest royal graduate, Prince William, is now officially the most academically accomplished member of the British monarchy.

Having set out to earn an art history degree four years ago, William later switched to geography.

And so, wearing the black gown and cherry-red silk hood of a graduate from the university's Master of the Arts degree in geography, William got his degree from St. Andrew's in Scotland on Thursday.

"I am going to miss being in Scotland. I have got used to the weather and all the golf chat!" William said in an official statement.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the ailing Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, were all on hand to witness the 23-year-old accept his degree alongside some 260 other students.

Kate Middleton, with whom William has been reportedly romantically involved, was among the graduates.

With his upper-second class honours degree -- the second-highest undergraduate award in Britain -- William has earned the highest grade of any U.K. royal.

Otherwise known as a 2:1 class degree, William's achievement trumps the 2:2 his famously intellectual father earned from Cambridge.

Prince William, MA, plans to spend the summer working in London's financial sector, as well as in mountain rescue.

"The work experience in the City was something I was particularly keen to do as I feel this is an area in which I could learn a lot, and it may help me with charitable fundraising in the future," the second-in-line to the throne said.

"Joining a mountain rescue team really appealed to me as I can learn first hand how these amazing people help save lives."

First he will fly to New Zealand to meet the touring British and Irish Lions team. During that trip, he's scheduled to attend his first official solo engagements on behalf of his grandmother, the Queen.

William has said he intends to eventually sign up for military training at the same prestigious military academy his younger brother, Harry, is currently attending.

Besides his graduation, William's leaving university marks another milestone in his life. With his convocation, the media in no longer bound to an agreement banning them from intense coverage of the Prince's personal life.